Rheumatic Fever Week

Rheumatic Fever Week (RFW) is an annual campaign held from August 1st to 7th to raise awareness about Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). Left untreated, ARF can progress into Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), which can be fatal. The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of ARF episodes and the association with RHD, emphasizing the need for prompt and correct treatment. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) plays a crucial role in this initiative, working to reduce the burden of cardiac conditions in South Africa, with RHD being one of the main conditions in underserved communities.