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Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

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Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

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Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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Life Pharmacy Ireland – Live Better

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Causes of rheumatic fever

(10/07/2014)

Most experts believe rheumatic fever is caused by the immune system overreacting to the presence of group A streptococcus bacteria.

Almost all cases develop a few weeks after a throat infection with group A streptococcus bacteria.

During this throat infection, the lining of the throat becomes inflamed as the immune system responds to the infection.

In cases of rheumatic fever, it seems that the process of inflammation spreads throughout your body in an uncontrolled way. The inflammation can affect:

  • the heart, which causes the symptoms of chest painfatigue and shortness of breath
  • the joints, which causes the symptoms of arthritis
  • the skin, which causes the symptoms of the skin rash and nodules
  • the nervous system, which causes the symptoms of chorea (uncontrollable jerking) and the changes in personality associated with rheumatic fever

Exactly why the immune system suddenly stops working properly is unclear. One theory is that the streptococcal bacteria have a similar molecular structure to certain tissues in the body. The immune system targets not only the bacteria, but also tissues sharing a similar molecular structure.

Another theory is that some people may be born with certain genetic factors that make their immune system more likely to malfunction after a throat infection.

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