Encourage them to go see a doctor, who will check their throat to see if the sore throat is caused by the Strep A bacteria. Try to avoid sharing saliva, such as food/drink, toothbrushes etc with your whānau.

If they have strep throat, they’ll be given oral antibiotics to clear up the infection. Make sure they finish the entire course in order to clear all the Strep A from their throat.

Some school-based clinics and pharmacies can also check sore throats for Strep A for free depending on where you live. Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to find out more

Encourage them to go see a doctor, who will assess their joints and listen to their heart using a stethoscope. They may also take an echocardiogram (scan or ultrasound of the heart) to see how their heart is functioning.

If your whānau develops Rheumatic Fever they will need a lot of bed rest and time off school or work. They may need to stay in hospital, where they will have examinations and blood tests to check their condition.

One of the biggest risk factors for Strep A infections and Rheumatic Fever is household crowding and poor housing conditions as it promotes the spread of Strep A. Here are some tips to help create a warmer and drier home:

• Sleeping separately to prevent passing Strep A to others.

• To heat and dry the house, open your curtains and windows to let sunlight in and create air flow. Make sure to close them at night to keep in the warmth and heat.

• To stop cold air getting into the house, try putting draft stoppers at doors, windows and fireplaces.

• Make sure your house is well insulated so heat does not escape easily. You can also use a heat pump or heaters to warm up the house. The government may be able to help cover costs to insulate your house or install a heat pump or fire place. To see if you are eligible, click here.

• Damp air takes more energy to heat up. Getting rid of window condensation or using a dehumidifier gets rid of damp air. Drying your laundry outside of the house can also help.

• If there is an extractor fan in the bathroom or kitchen, use it: the less steam there is, the less damp and mould there will be. Get rid of any mould as soon as possible.

Key tips for a warmer, drier home

Looking after our kōtiro, wāhine and hapū māmā

Rheumatic Fever and Pregnancy

• Women, particularly Maori or Pasifika women, are at higher risk of developing Rhematic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.

• Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disaese poses some problems for pregnancy. Pregnancy places extra stress on the heart and pressure on artificial heart valves, which can lead to Rheumatic Heart Disease symptoms developing or worsening.

• It is important to detect and diagnose Rheumatic Heart Disease early to reduce the chance of complications during pregnancy, and for women with Rheumatic Heart Disease to be monitored before and during pregnancy.

Can I get pregnant if I have Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Yes, Rheumatic Heart Disease is not known to impact reproductive function. Careful planning is recommended can improve outcomes for both mother and baby. Please consult your doctor for further advice.

Bicillin injections and contraception

As with other drugs, Bicillin may have side effects, including thrush, and decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Ask your doctor for more information or alterative contraception options.

Bicillin and pregnancy

• Rheumatic Fever patients typically receive monthly Bicillin injections to prevent further Strep A infections. It is important that antibiotics are continued during pregnancy to prevent recurrent Rheumatic Fever and worsening of Rheumatic Heart Disease, which can increase the risk of cardiac complications. Consult your doctor to determine if bicillin is the best antibiotic.

• Women with Rheumatic Heart Disease may be taking other medications like anticoagulants (Warfarin). It is important to discuss the risk of these drugs during pregnancy with a doctor. Alternative medications maybe safer during pregnancy.

Bicillin, pregnancy and breast feeding

• Whilst Bicillin can travel through the placenta in small amounts, no evidence has been found of bicillin harming the baby. It is strongly recommended to continue with Bicillin during pregnancy to reduce the risk of cardiac complications associated with Rheumatic Fever attacks.

• Bicillin can also be found in small amounts in breast milk. Breast-fed infants may develop allergic reactions or gastrointestinal disorders, therefore breastfeeding may have to be discontinued. Talk to your doctor for further advice.