The classic dramatic clinical presentation of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), with high fever, severe carditis and acute polyarthritis, is changing to an asymptomatic, milder form. The cardiac damage potential of the disease remains high. It is the responsibility of the primary care nurse practitioner to 1) provide primary prevention of ARF through appropriate treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis; 2) be cognizant of the manifestations of the disease; and 3) provide secondary prevention of subsequent attacks through prophylaxis.
急性风湿热（ARF）典型的戏剧性临床表现，即高热、严重心肌炎和急性多关节炎，正转变为无症状、较轻微的形式。该疾病的心脏损害潜力仍然很高。初级保健执业护士的职责包括：1）通过对链球菌性咽炎进行适当治疗来提供ARF的一级预防；2）认识该疾病的表现；3）通过预防措施对后续发作提供二级预防。
