Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD)
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an abnormal autoimmune response as a result of untreated group A streptococcal (GAS) or strep A infection.
Strep A bacteria causes infection in the throat and skin, this can result in an abnormal inflammatory illness in some people.
Symptoms of ARF are associated with the large joints, brain, skin and heart.
ARF can lead to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) which is damage to one or more heart valves, affecting the function of the heart.
Australia has the highest documented rates of ARF and RHD in the world. It disproportionately affects Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Northern Territory (NT) has the highest rate of diagnoses in Australia.
Notifiable disease
ARF and RHD are a notifiable disease. They are notified to the RHD Control Program through the NT's Centre for Disease Control.
NT RHD register
NT health professionals who are involved in the the direct care or coordination of clients with a history of ARF or RHD can request access to the RHD register.
Complete the registration process on the NT Health library services ePublications website.
Login to the NT RHD register.
Read more about the data governance framework for the NT RHD Register PDF (545.2 KB).
Information for health professionals
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Document | ARF and RHD fact sheet PDF (155.4 KB) | NT Health |
| Document | ARF RHD Guidelines | RHD Australia |
| Webpage | ARF and RHD in Australia Report | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare |
| Document | ARF & RHD management (handout) | RHD Australia |
| Application | Guidelines and diagnosis calculator app | RHD Australia |
| Webpage | Free professional e-learning | RHD Australia |
| Application | Treatment tracker app | RHD Australia |
| PDF Document | THINK Acute Rheumatic Fever - ARF (714KB PDF) | RHD Australia |
| Tropical Health Orientation Manual for health practitioners in Northern Australia | Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) | Centre for Remote Health |
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Rheumatic heart disease | Northern Territory Government |
| Webpage | Rheumatic heart disease | Health direct |
| Webpage | Acute Rheumatic fever | Health direct |
| Document | What is Rheumatic Fever | RHD Queensland |
Contact
Contact the Public Health Unit’s Centre for Disease Control.
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