RHEUMATIC HEART

DISEASE

Rheumatic Heart Disease is a Notifiable disease

Please contact the RHD register
Top End

Central Australia

Ph: 08 892 28454

Ph: 08 895 16909

Fax: 08 892 28310

Fax: 08 895 16920

Email: RHDDarwin@nt.gov.au

Email: RHDAliceSprings.@nt.gov.au

The worm represents the Strep germ, which causes rheumatic fever. Kindly provided by Aboriginal artist/research officer Chidanpee, Norma Benger, Menzies School of Health
Research, Darwin, NT.

Is it rheumatic fever
Sore knees ankles wrists elbows
Heart murmur
Hard to breath
Jerking twitching movements of
the body
Hot person
Recent sore throat or skin sores

A germ called Strep

has got into your
throat or skin from
sores
Strep germ can
affect your brain,
heart and joints
Strep germ is too
small for you to see

Tests for rheumatic fever

Throat swab
Blood tests
ECG heart test
Hospital for an echo heart test

Medicine
A needle every 28 days or full moon for many
years to stop the strep germ
You need to be brave
The health worker or nurse
will give the needle slowly
You can have Panadol after
the needle

Needles
Remember your needles use the
Full Moon Needle Calendar

Needles
Dont miss any needles you can get Rheumatic
Fever again.
Every time you get Rheumatic Fever you
heart can get damaged.
You might have to go to Adelaide or
Melbourne for an operation.

Keep clean
Skin sores
Sore tooth
SORE THROAT

clinic
dentist
CLINIC

Wash with soap every day

Wash your hands before eating
Wash your hands after toilet
Wear clean clothes

Family too!
When there is someone in your family who
has Rheumatic Fever go to the clinic for a
check up