This brief overview of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is aimed at school staff, who are well placed to assist children aged 514 years, their families and communities to prevent and manage these conditions. Sore throats can lead to open heart surgery in high risk populations.

We encourage all school staff to watch this video. It only takes one episode of rheumatic fever to cause rheumatic heart disease which can stop the heart from working effectively, seriously affecting individuals, families and the whole community. Properly managed with early intervention, ARF and RHD can be prevented.