How long should a 4-year-old child recovering from rheumatic fever need to receive monthly injections of penicillin G?

A. 5 years: The American Heart Association recommends that children with rheumatic fever (without carditis) receive secondary prophylaxis with monthly benzathine penicillin G for at least 5 years or until age 21 (whichever is longer), to prevent recurrence. B. 10 years: This duration is typically for children with carditis, not for those recovering without cardiac involvement. C. 2 years: Too short. Recurrence risk remains for years after the initial illness. D. 1 year: Inadequate duration to prevent recurrence of streptococcal infection and rheumatic fever.