What other Conditions or Diseases can Mimic Rheumatic Fever ?

Differential Diagnosis of Rheumatic fever 

  • Arthritis consider:
    • Rheumatoid arthritis (including Still's disease in children)
    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura
    • Reactive arthritis
    • Erythema nodosum
  • Heart disease consider:
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Kawasaki disease
    • Infective endocarditis
  • Rash (erythema marginatum) consider:
    • Drug reactions
    • Lyme disease
  • Chorea consider:
    • Drug reactions (especially in young people) to:
      metoclopramide, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, haloperidol or amitriptyline.
    • Huntington's chorea. This does not usually present until at least 30 (peak age 35-45).
    • Chorea gravidarum may occur in pregnancy.
    • Wilson disease