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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your child has signs or symptoms of rheumatic fever, you're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a specialist in children's medicine (pediatrician). However, your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist) for some diagnostic tests. Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to prepare for your appointment.
What you can do
Make a list ahead of time that you can share with your doctor. Your list should include:
- Symptoms your child is experiencing or has recently experienced, even if the symptoms don't seem related to each other
- Recent illnesses your child has had
- Medications, including vitamins or supplements, that your child takes or has recently taken
- Questions for your doctor
List questions for your doctor from most important to least important in case time runs out. If you think your child is showing signs or symptoms of rheumatic fever, you may ask some of the following questions.
- Does my child have rheumatic fever?
- What other conditions could cause these symptoms?
- What kinds of tests will my child need now and in the future?
- What is the best treatment?
- How will this treatment affect other conditions my child has?
- How much do I need to restrict my child's activities?
- Can my child still expose others to strep bacteria at this point?
- What type of follow-up is needed?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did your child's signs and symptoms first appear?
- Has your child had recent symptoms or unusual conditions that no longer exist?
- Has your child had a cold or flu recently? What were the symptoms?
- Was your child recently diagnosed with strep throat or scarlet fever?
- Did your child take all of the antibiotics to treat strep throat or scarlet fever as prescribed?
- Rheumatic fever. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec19/ch281/ch281a.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
- Carapetis JR, et al. Acute rheumatic fever. Lancet. 2005;366:155-168.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Hahn RG, et al. Evaluation of poststreptococcal illness. American Family Physician. 2005;71:1949-1954.
- Strep throat: Symptoms. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/strepThroat/symptoms.htm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Sore throat. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK0_SoreThroat.htm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- When your infant or child has a fever. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/common/common/069.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Gerber M. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus). In: Long S, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113823919-10/783584111/1679/122.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50121-1--cesec21_2521. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Weinberg G. Rheumatic fever. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch272/ch272h.html. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
- Gibofsky A, et al. Treatment and prevention of acute rheumatic fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
