Question
Which of the following interventions can help prevent the development of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)?
| A. |
Screening of school-going children
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| B. |
Vaccination against Streptococcus
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| C. |
Treatment of respiratory infections in children
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| D. |
All of the above
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer » C
Explanation
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– Clinical Reasoning for the Correct Answer:
– RHD is a sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which follows untreated or inadequately treated Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis.
– Early and adequate antibiotic treatment (usually penicillin) of streptococcal pharyngitis in children is the only proven method to prevent ARF and subsequent RHD.
– Preventing the initial GAS infection or eradicating it before immune-mediated damage occurs is the cornerstone of primary prevention.
– Why Option A is Incorrect (Screening of school-aged children):
– Routine screening of asymptomatic children for GAS is not standard practice or cost-effective for RHD prevention.
– Screening may help detect undiagnosed cases but does not directly prevent initial infection or ARF.
– Useful in high-risk populations only if followed by effective treatment.
– Why Option B is Incorrect (Vaccination against Streptococcus):
– There is no available human vaccine for Group A Streptococcus.
– Vaccine development is ongoing; not yet a practical preventive strategy.
– Why Option D is Incorrect (All of the above):
– Option D is incorrect because Option B is not currently feasible (no vaccine available).
– Only the treatment of GAS pharyngitis (Option C) is directly effective and available.
