Penicillin use and its Impact for the Secondary Prevention of Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease in a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a post infectious, non-suppurative sequela of pharyngeal infection with streptococcal pyogens, or group a beta haemolytic streptococcus. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a condition of global health importance. It is estimated that 15.6-19.6 million people are living with RHD, with almost 80% of those residing in low and middle income countries.