الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 66 |  |  |
| | | from | 66 | | |
Abstract
Rheumatic fever is a systemic disease affecting the peri-arteriolar connective tissue and can occur after an untreated GAS pharyngeal infection. In acute rheumatic fever, these lesions can be found in any layer of the heart and is hence called pancarditis. In Egypt, RHD is a significant health problem, with an estimated prevalence of 5.1 per 1000 school child.(10) The impact of disease is aggravated by low public awareness, the lack of appropriate and early diagnosis and the low socioeconomic status of affected families.
The primary aims of a RHD prevention program as recommended by WHO are to: support the adherence to secondary prophylaxis, Improve clinical care and follow up, register new and recurrent cases of ARF provide education and training for health care providers and clients, promote primary prevention aimed at preventing initial episodes of ARF and use data to monitor patient outcomes and improve program strategies.
Primary prevention of RF is directed towards young population aged 2-25 years with recurrent GAS throat and skin infection to avoid development of RF, this involve compliance of patients with adequate treatment with penicillin within 7 days of infection and for a sufficient period (10 days). Secondary prevention of RF is defined as the continuous administration of specific antibiotics to patients with a previous attack of RF, or well-documented rheumatic heart disease. The most effective antibiotic is penicillin and the most effective method of delivery of penicillin is by 3 or 4 weekly intramuscular injection of l