A 15-year-old Aboriginal girl from a remote community has established rheumatic heart disease following acute rheumatic fever at age 10. She is curren...

Question

A 15-year-old Aboriginal girl from a remote community has established rheumatic heart disease following acute rheumatic fever at age 10. She is currently asymptomatic. According to Australian RHD guidelines, what is the preferred regimen for secondary prophylaxis to prevent recurrence of acute rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin G injections every 3-4 weeks, continued long term as advised by an RHD specialist

Answer

Oral phenoxymethylpenicillin twice daily for 5 years

Answer

No ongoing antibiotics once cardiac symptoms resolve

Answer

Single intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin G dose after each sore throat

Answer

Intermittent macrolide courses only during winter months

au-racgp MCQ (SBA): Rheumatic heart disease secondary prophylaxis