Pediatrician Rizky Adriansyah from Medan's Haji General Hospital (RSU) said that sore throat caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria infection can trigger a heart problem called rheumatic heart disease.
In a discussion held by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) in Central Jakarta on Monday, he explained that recurrent or severe rheumatic fever that occurs one to five weeks after a sore throat due to Group A Streptococcus infection can cause rheumatic heart disease.
"Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are actually two closely related, yet distinct, diseases. The causal relationship is clear," said Dr. Rizky.
The Head of the IDAI Cardiology Coordination Work Unit said that rheumatic heart disease can cause permanent damage to the heart valves, which can potentially lead to heart failure and stroke.
"If the heart valve damage is initially mild and becomes severe over time, or if it's already severe from the start, heart valve surgery will be necessary," he said.
Dr. Rizky said that children aged 5–15 years are at high risk of rheumatic fever due to sore throat caused by Group A Streptococcus infection and rheumatic heart disease.
Symptoms of a sore throat caused by Group A Streptococcus infection include a high fever that does not go away after more than 48 hours, pain when swallowing accompanied by a severe cough, pain in the neck glands, red, swollen tonsils, and a red rash.