In what age range is acute rheumatic fever most likely to occur?

Acute rheumatic fever is most likely to occur in children between the ages of 5 to 15 years. This age group is particularly susceptible due to several factors associated with the disease's pathophysiology.

The condition typically follows an infection with group A Streptococcus, such as strep throat or scarlet fever, which are more common among school-age children. During this developmental stage, children experience a higher incidence of throat infections and the immune response to these infections can lead to the complications seen in rheumatic fever.

Additionally, the risk of developing rheumatic fever decreases significantly after the teenage years and into adulthood, largely because the immune system matures and develops better defenses against infections. Hence, the notable peak incidence of acute rheumatic fever occurs within the 5 to 15-year range, making it critical for health practitioners to monitor and manage streptococcal infections in this demographic to prevent the onset of this serious condition.