Metro South: Battling acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Metro South: Battling acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Live Streamed event – https://youtu.be/iqSkXTSCUUE

General Practitioners, nurses and general practice staff are welcome to view the live streamed education event via the link above which will open at 6.30pm on 16 February 2021.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is caused by an immunological response to Group A streptococcus infection. ARF usually presents in childhood and is most prevalent in our First Nations people, and disadvantaged groups. Recurrent episodes of ARF may lead to rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Every year, RHD kills people and devastates lives. It causes strokes in teenagers and requires children to undergo open heart surgery. Yet it starts with symptoms as simple as a sore throat or skin infection that can be prevented with penicillin.

Currently there are over 3400 clients with ARF and RHD receiving care in Queensland. Over 20% of these clients reside in South East Queensland, with 50% residing in the Metro South Hospital and Health Service. In addition, Metro South region has the highest number of clients with severe RHD in Queensland.

To reduce ARF, RHD and the associated death and disability caused by these diseases, it’s important to increase awareness and knowledge of these conditions amongst primary care providers.

The Heart Foundation, RHD Australia, the Queensland RHD Register and Control Program and Brisbane South PHN have collaborated with local cardiologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists to deliver this workshop which will cover:

• Who is considered high risk for ARF and RHD
• Primary prevention of ARF through early antibiotic treatment of sore throats and skin sores in high-risk populations
• Identification, treatment and management of ARF
• Secondary prevention of RHD
• RHD in pregnancy.

SPEAKERS:
Kylie McKenna, CNC, Manager Qld RHD program
Dr Rob Justo, Paediatric Cardiologist, Children’s Health Queensland
Dr William Wang, Director Cardiology, PAH
Dr Cecelia O’Brien, Townsville Hospital