♦️ Prevention of Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is approached at four levels:
Source: 2024 WHO guideline on the prevention and diagnosis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.pdf
1. Primordial Prevention
Goal: Reduce initial exposure to superficial streptococcal infections.
Methods: Address poverty, improve living conditions and housing standards, and increase access to healthcare.
2. Primary Prevention
Goal: Prevent the onset of RF.
Methods: Effectively diagnose and promptly treat Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and potentially superficial skin infections.
3. Secondary Prevention
Goal: Prevent RF recurrence in patients with a history of RF/RHD or limit RHD progression in diagnosed patients.
Methods: Administer continuous antibiotic prophylaxis.
4. Tertiary Prevention
Goal: Manage and treat RHD complications.
Methods: Utilize medications (e.g., anticoagulants) and cardiac interventions, including surgery, to address complications.
Source: 2024 WHO guideline on the prevention and diagnosis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.pdf