In a 2-year child with fever and already on treatment for Pneumonia as per the X-ray chest finding, an echo showing mild MR and mild TR, made the attending doctors go in for RF treatment. But the ASO titre is negative and later found to be below 100 units. But still, the doctors are insisting on treatment with penicillin and fortunately decided not to treat with aspirin and prednisolone as was decided earlier by them. Relatives are afraid of aspirin side effect and were discussing with me. The child is very active.
The left ankle joint is showing some swelling and may be due to IV line nearby. In this setting, when the ASO is negative should there be a treatment for RF and long-term prophylaxis? The best course is to do ASO after 10 to 15 days and if it is negative stop all the treatment. If positive go for RF treatment and prophylaxis is the advice given by me. The doctors treating are…
