Rheumatic fever primarily affects which parts of the body?

• A. Joints and heart valves
• B. Lungs and kidneys
• C. Brain and spinal cord
• D. Skin and hair

Answer: (A)

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune reaction that follows a group A Streptococcus throat infection, where antibodies against the bacteria cross-react with human tissues. The most characteristic and clinically important targets are the joints and the heart valves. The joints develop migratory polyarthritis, a hallmark finding, while the heart is affected by inflammation of the inner lining and valves (pancarditis), most often damaging the mitral valve over time. This combination of inflammatory involvement in joints and cardiac valves is what distinguishes rheumatic fever and leads to potential long-term rheumatic heart disease. Other tissues like the skin or brain can be involved in a minority of cases, but they are not the primary sites affected, and lungs or kidneys are not typically involved.