<P> Rheumatic fever may occur following an infection of the throat by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes . If the infection is untreated rheumatic fever can occur in up to three percent of people . The underlying mechanism is believed to involve the production of antibodies against a person 's own tissues . Due to their genetics , some people are more likely to get the disease when exposed to the bacteria than others . Other risk factors include malnutrition and poverty . Diagnosis of RF is often based on the presence of signs and symptoms in combination with evidence of a recent streptococcal infection . </P>
<P> Rheumatic fever may occur following an infection of the throat by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes . If the infection is untreated rheumatic fever can occur in up to three percent of people . The underlying mechanism is believed to involve the production of antibodies against a person 's own tissues . Due to their genetics , some people are more likely to get the disease when exposed to the bacteria than others . Other risk factors include malnutrition and poverty . Diagnosis of RF is often based on the presence of signs and symptoms in combination with evidence of a recent streptococcal infection . </P>
the risk factors for rheumatic fever include age and infection with
the risk factors for rheumatic fever include age and infection with
genetics malnutrition poverty
genetics malnutrition poverty