What are the primary symptoms of Sydenham's chorea in rheumatic fever?

The primary symptoms of Sydenham's chorea in rheumatic fever include involuntary movements and emotional lability. This condition, which typically affects children and adolescents, is characterized by rapid, irregular, and unintentional movements, particularly of the face, hands, and feet. Emotional lability, or the tendency to experience rapid changes in mood, is also a significant feature of this disorder and can include heightened emotional responses or inappropriate emotional reactions.

Sydenham's chorea is a neurological manifestation that occurs as a result of the body's immune response to a Streptococcus infection, which can accompany rheumatic fever. The combination of motor symptoms and emotional disturbances helps to clearly differentiate this condition from other neurological or rheumatic symptoms. Understanding these primary symptoms is essential for proper identification and management in patients with a history of rheumatic fever.