Throat Infection Should Be Taken Seriously

Throat infection in children should be taken seriously as it may be a case of a strep throat that can lead to rheumatic fever. This, in turn, can lead to damage to heart valves, chief cardio-vascular surgeon at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital L. Mohanakrishnan said on Friday.

Can lead to damage to heart valves

When children complain of irritation and pain in the throat, they should get proper medical attention immediately. It a case of streptococcal infection was established, the children should be put on appropriate treatment to prevent damage to heart valves, the surgeon said. “This problem can be prevented, but awareness level is low,” Dr. Mohanakrishnan told presspersons.

The surgeon explained that rheumatic fever was an inflammatory disease and very commonly seen in India. It could affect many of the body’s connective tissues, especially those of the heart, joints, brain or skin. It began with a strep throat caused by streptococcal infection.The heart valve malfunctioning could be detected from the following symptoms: chest pain or tightening of the chest, being short of breath, inability to sleep, general fatigue and inability to perform day-to-day activities, swollen ankles or feet and abnormally large abdomen.

Dr. Mohankrishnan said while children aged between five and 15 years old could get affected, the valve problem could show up even in the thirties or forties. The damaged valve would have to be repaired or replaced as they would have shrunk of sprung a leak because of the infection.“We try to repair it mostly for children. If not possible, we replaced the diseased valve.”Either a mechanical valve or a natural one made of animal or human tissue could be used. Mechanical valves were made of biocompatible metal, plastic or ceramic-like material.

Mechanical valves performed well and were very durable. They usually lasted throughout the patient’s lifetime and did not require replacement. At the same time, patients with these valves should take anti-coagulant medication throughout their life to thin the blood and prevent clots. The clots could cause strokes or other problems.On the other hand, because of their being very similar to the original ones, the tissue valves did not require prolonged use of anti-coagulants.

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