Hello,

Thank you for posting a query.

Look, you did not give the full history. 20 years ago, you were found to have high ASO titer but left untreated. Now, you have a knee surgery and high ASO titer.

What was the cause behind that?

Did you have any joint pain which changes its site regularly?

Do you have any cardiological problems like palpitation, breathlessness, weakness?

All these points are very important. Because the duration of the treatment with penicillin depends on these.

Most probably, your treating doctor has found some suspicious findings (apart from arthritis and high ASO titer) about rheumatic fever. Because high ASO titer is associated with this disease.

But, no doctor can help you online. Because, this disease is diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination. There are some criteria to stamp this disease, which consist of some very important clinical findings. Most importantly, ASO titer is only a supportive criteria.

So, it would be better to consult with your treating doctor about it. That is the only way. I think you can understand the problem.

But, for your information, penicillin injection should be given for years. As I have told, the exact duration depends on the clinical condition.

Yes, the arthralgia you have described may be caused by this disease. But, as I have told you previously, the final diagnosis depends on your treating doctor.

Hope this information suffices. Let me know, if you have any more question.

Regards.

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Hello,

Thank you for writing back.

From your history, your problem with joint pain does not sounds like a rheumatic disease. Because, osteoarthritis and rheumatic disease are different.

Your description is not enough to tell the exact duration. Because, for that, i have to examine you clinically. secondly, an ECG is needed. Thirdly, an Echo cardiogram is needed.

If everything is fine, then injection should be continued for 5 years followed by oral antibiotic of penicillin group. In some cases, low dose oral antibiotic is necessary for many years after completion of injection. The duration depends upon the response of the patient towards antibiotic.

For exact duration, you have to consult with your treating doctor.

It would be better to consult with a cardiologist for this problem. Because, you need to be evaluated for presence of any cardiovascular abnormality, irrespective of presence or absence of any symptoms. You can also consult an XXXXXXX medicine in person for this problem, if you want.

Hope, you have your answers.

Regards.

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Hello,

Thank you for writing back.

Look, Your ECG and echo are all within normal limit.

So, there is no cardiological abnormality. But, still you should consult with an XXXXXXX medicine specialist.

Generally, in this situation, penidure is given for 5 years.

You should consult with your treating doctor or XXXXXXX medicine specalist for exact duration.

Hope, you have your answers.

Regards.

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