Sydenham Chorea Treatment in India

Krishna Ali, a 15-year-old high school...

Krishna Ali, a 15-year-old high school sophomore and avid soccer player, began experiencing subtle, uncontrollable twitches in her right hand during final exams. Initially dismissed as stress, the movements worsened over three weeks, becoming jerky, purposeless, and spreading to her face and left leg, causing her to drop her phone and struggle to write. Her handwriting became illegible. A pediatrician noted a heart murmur and a recent untreated sore throat, suspecting rheumatic fever. The rheumatologist, Dr. Evans, diagnosed Sydenham Chorea, explaining it was a post-streptococcal autoimmune reaction affecting her brain's movement control center. Treatment began with a high-dose course of penicillin to eradicate any lingering strep bacteria, followed by a tapering course of oral prednisone to calm the immune system. The first week was difficult; the steroids made Krishna feel irritable and bloated, and the chorea didn't improve immediately. She felt isolated and frustrated, missing soccer practice. By the third week, the jerking movements had diminished by nearly 70%. She started physical therapy to regain coordination. After two months, the chorea was virtually gone, and she was cleared for light training. Emotionally, Krishna journeyed from fear and embarrassment about her body 'betraying' her to profound relief. She regained her confidence, though with a new, deep appreciation for her health and a commitment to never ignoring a sore throat again.