The Difference Between Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis primarily exhibit symptoms related to the joints. Mainly affected are the symmetrical small joints of both hands, including both wrists, both palmar digital joints, and both proximal interphalangeal joints. In addition, patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have elevated rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and AKA antibodies. During the acute phase of joint disease, there is a marked increase in inflammatory markers, which is a major manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatic fever, aside from joint pain, may also have heart valve disorders, such as mitral stenosis, and some patients may develop skin lesions, commonly erythema nodosum. Most importantly, patients with rheumatic conditions often show a significant increase in anti-streptolysin O.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Does rheumatic fever cause an increase in body temperature?

Rheumatic fever may lead to increased body temperature; fever is one of the common clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever, primarily associated with streptococcal infections. Other common symptoms of rheumatic fever include joint pain or arthritis, erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules, chorea, and carditis. During the acute phase, penicillin antibiotics can be used to treat the infection. At the same time, it is important to rest adequately and consume high-quality protein foods to ensure sufficient nutrition and calories. Foods rich in high-quality protein such as lean meat, milk, and eggs should be consumed appropriately. In addition, symptomatic treatment is also crucial. For arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, and corticosteroids are necessary for treating carditis.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How to treat rheumatic fever?

Patients with rheumatic fever who develop a fever can first use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets for symptomatic fever reduction. At the same time, it is also necessary to actively treat the primary disease of rheumatic fever. If the rheumatic fever is induced by a streptococcal infection, additional anti-infection treatment is also needed. Furthermore, as rheumatic fever is also an autoimmune disease, while using NSAIDs to reduce fever, it is also necessary to add some immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate or leflunomide, to control the condition. Only on the basis of controlling the condition can rheumatic fever potentially be completely cured. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Li Ning
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Can you drink alcohol with rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever should not involve alcohol consumption. Because drinking could potentially trigger a flare-up of rheumatic fever and worsen the symptoms. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Common clinical manifestations include fever, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, joint pain or arthritis, chorea, carditis, and so forth. During the acute phase, the main symptoms are fever and joint pain, which can be treated with penicillin antibiotics to combat infection. Joint pain can be relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as etoricoxib. In cases where carditis occurs during the acute phase, combined treatment with corticosteroids is also required. Regarding diet, it is advisable to eat lightly, and both smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Is the rheumatoid factor high in rheumatic fever?

Patients with rheumatic fever often do not have elevated rheumatoid factor levels, as rheumatic fever primarily follows a streptococcal infection. There is typically an increase in anti-streptolysin O antibodies, while rheumatoid factors are often negative. In addition to elevated anti-streptolysin O, patients with rheumatic fever may also experience valvular heart disease, most commonly mitral stenosis. Some patients may present with skin erythema and symptoms similar to chorea, which leads us to consider the possibility of rheumatic fever. The treatment of rheumatic fever primarily involves regular antibiotic therapy and continued administration of intramuscular benzathine penicillin for a period of time. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
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Symptoms and Treatment of Rheumatic Fever

Patients with rheumatism often experience symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections in the early stages of the disease, such as fever and sore throat. Additionally, patients with rheumatism commonly exhibit migratory joint pain, primarily characterized by acute onset of redness, swelling, heat, pain, and limited mobility in the joints, but these can improve on their own. Patients with rheumatic fever often also suffer from carditis, which can include valvulitis, myocarditis, and pericarditis, with damage to the valves being the most common. Rheumatic fever may also present with ring-shaped erythema on the skin or subcutaneous nodules, and it can include chorea. The most common treatment for rheumatic fever is the intramuscular injection of penicillin. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)