" what is rheumatic heart disease? I heard about it but I never saw someone who truly has it. Ano ba itsura ng taong me ganun?"
" katulad ko. 'Yan ! " my reply, standing with my hands in the air.
"You look normal. "
"At gusto mo magmukha akong abnormal?"
Rheumatic Heart disease is a rare form of heart disease caused by rheumatic fever which is a complication from the strep throat bacteria. rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease caused when the streptococcus bacteria causing tonsillitis is not treated well. Rheumatic fever usually strikes children under the age of 5-16, and it strikes 1:1000 children.
The disease develops as the inflammation from rheumatic fever causes the heart valves to get weaker and not be able to push the blood through as it should normally. The disease can also affect many connective tissues such as the joints, brain, kidney and skin. Scarring of the heart valves is the major effect of the disease. This scarring cause congestive heart failure wherein the heart cannot pump all the blood that enters int it ,out, normally, through the valves, which leads to the accumulation of blood and fluids in the blood vessels and the heart.... causing death.
Symptoms of the disease are
1. fever
2. redden, swollen joints specially the ankles, knees and other large joints. You will notice nodules are present around the swollen joints causing pain.
3. skin rashes
4. breathlessness and fatigue
5. weight loss
6. stomach pains
7. chest pains
8. palpitations
9. fainting attacks
10. uncontrolled movements of facial muscles, legs and arms.
The disease is best prevented than treated. Prevention is by treating a common tonsillitis well. Treatment is rather difficult since there are persons who develop an allergic reaction to its medication. Penicillin injection (penadur) is the sole cure for rheumatic fever, permanently killing the strep throat bacteria that damages the heart. People like me who developed resistance against penadur can depend on antibiotic streptomycin taken twice a day to prevent the attack of rheumatic fever and lowers the risk of heart damage. But for those with already damaged heart, antibiotics prevents further damages.
Surgical heart valve repair and valve replacement can save a person with a damaged heart.
The last treatment is good for me if not for my resistance to anesthesia.
Can someone with RHD leads a normal life? Yes, definitely! Just avoid getting tired, avoid catching colds and flu. Rheumatic fever sets in when you catch those. You can be active, just avoid getting tired... but how can one gets active without getting tired? Just don't push yourself too much so as not to increase the work of the heart.
Blessed are they who are not drug-resistant. Me? I don't have any chance at all.
But you can still be happy and active even without a chance of healing.... all are in the state of our minds. Find a reason not to be sad. Find a reason to pursue life and happiness. Learn to accept yourself and love every piece of you... that way, you can overcome the disability the disease has given you.
At the time of my writing this, I have a slight fever again and rashes are on my hands.... it's up, yes I know, and in my shoes, you cannot avoid getting teary eyed... you just cannot avoid getting sad. I have all the reason to feel that way, but no! I have a race to finish and I must finish it well.
Whatever is in your hands and body right now is a challenge to face. It is not there without a reason... you can be a blessing when you don't know it...only if you will not give up.
Treat tonsillitis well. It will save your heart.... and your life.
I am Tisha.... and I have RHD type A, active.
My RHD can't prevent me from doing the things I enjoy even travelling alone. The best measure I did was to know more about my illness and my body. Courage and strength comes from within me...that I developed. The desire to live longer comes from my willingness to be happier and make good memories. Studying my life, I have all the reasons to go "home", but no.... I still can feel there's more beyond the years and I want them. It is my prayer that science can find a solution for penicillin-resistant persons like me. Antibiotics hurt my stomach's wall and affect my kidneys... besides, it's not the cure at all.
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