Dx Of ARF (Jones Criteria)

May 7, 2026

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) arises from an autoimmune response to group A streptococcal pharyngitis or skin infection, leading to multi-system organ inflammation and future valvular damage. Diagnosis uses the Jones criteria: confirmation requires evidence of preceding streptococcal infection together with either two major features or one major plus two minor features, while isolated chorea, isolated pancarditis, or recurrent ARF in high-risk patients can confirm without additional criteria. Major features include carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules; minor features include fever, arthralgia, raised ESR/CRP, leukocytosis, previous ARF, and first-degree AV block. Evidence includes positive throat culture, recent scarlet fever, streptozyme or antistreptococcal enzyme tests, and elevated ASOT.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

May 7, 2026

Upload by Emma Wilson