Which complication can result from untreated strep throat?

Rheumatic fever is a significant complication that can arise from untreated strep throat, particularly when the strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus. This inflammatory disease can occur following a throat infection and primarily affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. It is the result of an autoimmune response, where the body’s immune system mistakenly targets its own tissues after having fought off the strep bacteria.

Rheumatic fever can lead to long-term effects, such as rheumatic heart disease, which may cause permanent damage to heart valves and result in serious health complications later in life. The diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on the presence of certain clinical criteria, including arthritis, carditis, and characteristic skin rashes, among other signs.

In contrast, while other complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia are possible outcomes of respiratory infections in general, they do not have the same direct link to strep throat as rheumatic fever does. Asthma is a chronic condition that is not a direct complication of strep throat, but rather a separate respiratory issue that can coexist with other respiratory infections. Therefore, the connection between untreated strep throat and rheumatic fever underscores the importance of timely treatment with appropriate antibiotics to prevent this serious complication.