Vaccine against (GABHS) is the best way to prevent Rheumatic heart disease
Preventing streptococcal throat infection is anyone’s best defense against RHD. However, creating this vaccine is difficult because majority of the GABHS strains have not yet been identified.
Primary prevention means appropriately and adequately treating streptococcal pharyngitis. The oral antibiotic of choice is penicillin V. This good old reliable drug has withstood the test of time and is still effective against Group A streptococci. The complete course takes 10 days, or a single intramuscular shot. Erythromycin is the alternative drug if one is allergic to penicillin.
RHD is a precarious condition. Medical treatment is extensive depending on the severity of the injuries to the heart valves. Sometimes surgery is needed to restore normal cardiac function. In addition, those with RHD have to endure a lifelong threat of strokes, infective endocarditis and heart failure. Dental procedures and surgical operations for those with RHD will require antibiotic prophylaxis. Pregnancy for women with RHD poses a special therapeutic problem that could threaten their health and that of the unborn child.