Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What illness is caused by a virus related to streptococcus and can impact heart valves?

1. Myocarditis

2. Rheumatic fever

3. Endocarditis

4. Pericarditis

The correct answer is: Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is a serious condition that can develop as a complication of untreated strep throat, which is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. Although it originates from a bacterial infection, it is important to note that the immune response to the streptococcus bacteria can lead to an autoimmune reaction, affecting the heart, joints, skin, and brain. One of the major complications of rheumatic fever is its potential to cause damage to the heart valves, a condition known as rheumatic heart disease. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, particularly the heart valves, following the initial infection. This damage can result in long-term problems, including valvular heart disease and heart failure if not appropriately treated. In contrast, myocarditis, endocarditis, and pericarditis refer to other specific types of heart inflammation, but they do not directly result from a streptococcal infection nor do they share the same autoimmune mechanism as rheumatic fever. Myocarditis involves inflammatory processes in the heart muscle itself, endocarditis pertains to inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves (often due to bacterial infections), and pericarditis involves inflammation of the protective sac surrounding the heart. Therefore, understanding