2. STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

3. Rheumatic Fever
is a serious illness caused by a sore throat (strep throat)
is an inflammatory disease that causes the brain and joints to become inflamed and swollen
can make children very sick and cause heart damage
may mean a lifetime of feeling breathless and tired
can be easily prevented by making sure every sore throat gets checked and treated straight away
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

4. Rheumatic Fever New Zealand still has high rates of rheumatic fever
In [name of region] [X] cases [relevant local info]
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

5. Who is most at-risk? Māori and Pacific families Aged 4 - 19
Families who have had rheumatic fever
Families who live in houses with lots of people
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

6. How does rheumatic fever affect the body?
Acute rheumatic fever
affects 3 organ systems
Brain
Heart
Joints (arthritis)

7. Symptoms of rheumatic fever
Sore and swollen joints (knees, elbows, ankles and wrists)
An on-going fever that lasts a few days
They may also have stomach pains, extreme tiredness and unusual rash on their body
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

8. Reducing the risk for your school is easy
Ask your students if they have sore throats – build checks into your schools’ daily routine
Some schools have a throat swabbing clinic – refer children with sore throats
No clinic? Let the family know they need to get a doctor or nurse to check their child’s sore throat straight away
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

9. What happens next? A quick throat swab
Child needs to take the full 10-day course of antibiotics

10. Reducing the risk to your school community
Good hand washing and drying
Covering mouths when coughing and sneezing
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

11. Resources to help your school
Family guide booklet
Visual aid – shows the steps of rheumatic fever
Inserts for school newsletters
Download from
hpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever
Suggestions for schools:
Posters around the school
Stickers for the children
Inserts in you school e-newsletter
Alerts on the PA system
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS

12. More information
Ask your doctor or nurse for more information about sore throats and rheumatic fever
Visit hpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever
Call Healthline
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS