Assessing Concerns About Rheumatic Fever
In recent days, my husband and I have experienced some health issues that have led us to consider whether we should be worried about rheumatic fever.
First, a bit about us:
- **Myself:** 41 years old, female, standing 5 feet tall with a weight of 160 pounds, and I identify as Caucasian.
- **My Husband:** 44 years old, male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, also Caucasian.
Last weekend marked the beginning of my husband’s illness when he came down with a fever fluctuating between 100°F and 102°F. Alongside the fever, he experienced body aches and chills, but notably, he exhibited no other symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or coughing.
By the third day of grappling with his fever, he visited our local pharmacy that conducts strep throat tests. To our surprise, the results returned with a faint positive indication for strep bacteria. The pharmacist prescribed amoxicillin, which he promptly commenced on Monday; by Tuesday, his fever had finally diminished.
On Thursday morning, I inexplicably woke with severe pain in my wrist and shoulder, initially attributing it to an uncomfortable sleeping position. However, by late morning, I noticed an itchy sensation accompanied by a widespread rash. Being someone with sensitive skin, I typically deal with rashes occasionally, yet this instance felt peculiar. As the hours passed, I noticed an increase in joint pain, and by evening, my hands and wrists were nearly incapacitated due to discomfort. This was completely uncharacteristic for me, as I rarely experience joint pain apart from specific injuries. Notably, I was without a fever at this time.
The following morning, I awoke feeling slightly stiff but otherwise manageable, dismissing the events as an odd occurrence. However, as the day progressed, my husband shared that he too was experiencing significant pain in his joints, particularly in his wrists and fingers, which he described as quite severe.
This set of circumstances feels rather strange and spontaneous to me, raising concerns about how we might be perceived should we seek medical attention. Would we be dismissed by an urgent care clinic or emergency room? Should I regard this as just an atypical viral infection that triggers joint discomfort, or do the circumstances necessitate vigilance regarding rheumatic fever following his strep diagnosis?
If we determine that this is indeed a real concern, what is the best approach to communicate our symptoms effectively to a triage nurse or physician, ensuring they grasp the seriousness of the situation? At present, neither of us is in acute distress; we both are experiencing only mild lingering aches. My rash, although still present, is not severely bothersome.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our situation!