What is RHD?

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a life-threatening disease that currently affects over 55 million people globally and over 500,000 Ugandans. RHD disproportionally affects children and young adults living in resource-limited settings.

RHD can cause serious symptoms like fatigue, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and swollen joints. Complications from RHD can include stroke, heart failure, and can lead to death. However, RHD is largely preventable through recognition and treatment of strep throat and diagnosis and early intervention for ARF.

How do I get RHD?

RHD is a cumulative disease that begins with group A Strep infection, most commonly strep throat. Untreated strep throat can trigger Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) which causes an autoimmune reaction. The most serious manifestation of ARF is damage to the heart valves (RHD).

Factors that increase the risk of developing RHD include multiple exposures to the strep bacteria and untreated or under-treatment of the bacterial infections.

What is the RRCU doing to help?

The RRCU works in partnership with the Uganda Heart Institute and the Uganda Ministry of Health to design research projects and programs that:

  • Educate communities about sore throat, ARF and RHD

  • Introduce ways to prevent or slow the spread of these diseases

  • Find more people who have or are at high risk of developing ARF and RHD

  • Connect people who have RHD to healthcare and on-going treatment

  • Help RHD patients stay in care and under medical supervision

Where can I learn more about RHD?