In: Nursing
3. The number of new cases of rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis has drastically declined since the middle of the 20th century due to the use of abx. WHY?
Rheumatic fever is caused by streptococcus. It is better to say that rheumatic fever is due post streptococcal disease. It caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococci after the latent period more than 6 week cross after pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
On the other hand post streptococcal glomerulonephritis as the name suggest it follows the streptococcal infection Which means streptococcal infection like pharyngitis or impetigo occurs first. Type 12,4,1 of group A beta hemolytic streptococcus amin responsible for this disease.
IN THE MIDDLE OF 20TH century, in 1928 sir Alexander Fleming bring a revolutionary change in medical history that was the discovery of penicillin (antibiotic). After that Chain and Florey invented first modification in penicillin and discovered penicillin G in 1942. This penicillin is potent for killing of streptococcus which is the cause of rheumatic fever and post streptococcal glomerulonephritis . For this reason , in the middle of 20 th century due to use of Abx(antibiotics) there was drastic decrease in new cases of rheumatic fever and post streptococcal glomerulonephritis.