A young mother brings her 4-year-old in to the pediatric clinic with a mild fever and a red, spotty rash that is beginning to fade. The child's heart rate is rapid, and the rhythm is abnormal. The mother states the child has been healthy until about 3 weeks ago when the child had a sore throat. You suspect rheumatic carditis. What organism causes rheumatic carditis?

A young mother brings her 4-year-old in to the pediatric clinic with a mild fever and a red, spotty rash that is beginning to fade. The child's heart rate is rapid, and the rhythm is abnormal. The mother states the child has been healthy until about 3 weeks ago when the child had a sore throat. You suspect rheumatic carditis. What organism causes rheumatic carditis?

A young mother brings her 4-year-old in to the pediatric clinic with a mild fever and a red, spotty rash that is beginning to fade. The child's heart rate is rapid, and the rhythm is abnormal. The mother states the child has been healthy until about 3 weeks ago when the child had a sore throat. You suspect rheumatic carditis. What organism causes rheumatic carditis?


a) Group A beta-hemolytic strep

b) Epstein-Barr virus

c) Staphylococcus aureus

d) Streptococcus viridians


Answer: Group A beta-hemolytic strep