Acute rheumatic fever: an update.

The incidence of acute rheumatic fever is increasing in the United States, but many physicians are now unfamiliar with the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The revised Jones criteria provide guidance for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever; two major criteria or one major and two minor manifestations are required to make the diagnosis. Salicylates are usually the initial treatment of choice for the arthritis of rheumatic fever. Penicillin remains the recommended prophylactic agent for secondary prevention.