ARF & RHD Treatment
Once diagnosed with Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) or Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), patients need long-term treatment of Benzathine penicillin (Benza) injections every 3 to 4 weeks for at least 10 years (or possibly more) depending on how your heart has been severely affected. Other medications are also given to treat fever, arthritis, heart failure and even heart surgery if there is severe damage to the heart.
Benza is given to prevent ARF from recurring and to prevent further damage of the heart.
You can receive Benza Injection at any clinic anywhere even if you have:
- changed address
- missed injection for a very long time
- lost your injection booklet
- had surgery
You will only stop (cease) receiving your Benza if the doctor tells you after an echocardiogram (echo) review.
It is important not to miss your injections because rheumatic fever can come back again and cause further damage to your heart.
You will need regular clinics with your doctors and specialists (cardiologists, pediatrician) to check your heart condition. Depending on the degree of the heart damage, you may have certain restrictions on activity. It is also crucial to visit the dentist once a year to avoid any oral infection from spreading and harming the heart.
RHD unfortunately debilitates people as they start to even be productive. So it’s a real big blow to the future of the country. If you can treat the strep early with penicillin, you can prevent the body’s reaction to strep infection that leads to the heart.
Warfarin
People living with RHD that have undergone surgery need to be on a medication called Warfarin to reduce the risk of blood clots which can cause stroke. Warfarin makes the blood thinner and less likely to clot. Different people require different amounts of warfarin to keep their blood thin. Regular blood test called INR (International Normalised Ratio) is needed to check that the right dose of warfarin is given. Your dose of warfarin will change after each blood test is conducted by your doctor or nurse.
Important things to remember
- Always tell nurses, doctors or any health clinician that you take warfarin
- Women who take warfarin should consult their doctor or nurse before becoming pregnant or soon as they become pregnant
- Carry your Warfarin card everywhere you go, in case of injury- this informs people in case they cannot communicate or due to injury.
Ways to keep your INR level stable and minimize complications
- Taking your warfarin on time everyday
- Maintaining a regular diet – some food and drink( dark green leafy veggies and alcohol) can alter the way your body uses Warfarin making your INR go up or down.
Healthy eating while on Warfarin
REMEMBER, once you have had RHD-related surgery, you will need to receive BENZA for life.