Page 160 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

vii. Hearing disorders
viii. Unconsciousness

Preventive and Control Measures
i. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided.
ii. Obesity should be reduced.

iii. Balanced diet should be taken regularly.
iv. Physical exercise should be done regularly.
v. We should be free from mental tension.

vi. Consumption of fatty, oily and spicy foods should be avoided.
vii. Fruits and vegetables should be consumed regularly.
viii. Blood pressure should be tested regularly and should be kept under normal condition.
ix. Use of drugs or narcotics should be avoided.

2. Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic fever is a disease associated with sore throat. It
is a serious illness that can cause stroke, permanent damage
to the heart and death of the victim if left untreated.
Children between the ages of 5 and 15 usually suffer from
rheumatic fever, however, it may attack older children and
adults, too.

Rheumatic fever affects the heart, joints and brain. Swelling
of the heart may cause chest pain and if severe, there may be
signs of heart failure. Rheumatic heart disease is a chronic Fig: 16 Rheumatic fever
condition caused by rheumatic fever.

Causes of Rheumatic Fever Do You Know
Rheumatic fever is caused by Group A of • Rheumatic fever is
Streptococcus bacterium. This bacterium is common in places like
commonly known as Beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Sub-Saharan Africa, South
This bacterium causes sore throat or scarlet fever Central Asia and Certain
which is an inflammatory disorder. populations in Australia
and New Zealand.
Major Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
i. Sore throat with tender and swollen lymph nodes

ii. Red rashes in the skin
iii. Difficulty in swallowing
iv. Thick bloody discharge from nose

160 GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10