Treatment Principles

Treatment of Sydenham's Chorea is based on the following three principles:
1. The first phase of treatment is targeted at eliminating the streptococcus at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. A ten day course of penecillin is prescribed when Sydenhams Chroea is first diagnosed, in order to treat throat and skin infections.

2. The second phase of treatment is targeted to eliminate the movement disorder (chorea). Haloperidol is frequently used due to its anti- dopaminergic effect. However this treatment has serious potential side effects. Though therapeutic efforts would be ideal the disease posses certain limitations to the therapeutic options.

3. Immunomodulatory, or in simply a drug that effects the immune system, interventions have also been implemented, in such forms as steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, and plasma exchange.