10 Causes of Joint Pain
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Cause #2: Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints, skin, heart, and brain. It usually develops two to four weeks after an episode of streptococcal throat infection. Symptoms of rheumatic fever include painful joints, fever, erythema marginatum, involuntary muscle movements, and more.
In approximately 50 percent of the cases, the heart is also involved. If the heart valves are damaged, the condition is called rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever affects approximately 325,000 children annually.
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