Can a strep skin infection lead to rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a serious complication that can arise following an infection with Group A Streptococcus (GAS), specifically after pharyngeal infections like strep throat rather than skin infections such as impetigo or cellulitis. The immune response to the bacteria can lead to an autoimmune reaction, affecting the heart, joints, skin, and brain, but this is primarily related to infections of the throat.

Generally, while skin infections caused by strep are concerning because they can lead to conditions like cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis, they do not typically trigger rheumatic fever. This distinction is critical in clinical practice, highlighting that the types of streptococcal infections and their complications are tied to their anatomic location and the subsequent immune response initiated by the body.

Thus, the assertion that a strep skin infection cannot lead to rheumatic fever is grounded in the understanding of how the immune response is activated, pinpointing the throat as the primary source for this particular autoimmune sequela. Therefore, it's accurate to state that a strep skin infection does not cause rheumatic fever.