This is a form of arthritis, which, occurs after specific streptococcal infection of the throat. It is characterized by fever, flitting and fleeting arthritis (completely improves in one joint before involving the other joint), erythematous rash (in some), subcutaneous nodules (in some) and inflammation of the heart or its covering membrane (pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis). It is this cardiac involvement which if not treated adequately leads to valvular involvement later. The short-lived joint involvement, propensity to involve the heart and its association with specific streptococcal throat infection differentiates this disorder from juvenile idiopathic arthritis described earlier. Hence this is an important disease to be excluded when a child presents with joint problems.

As and when your general practitioner suspects arthritis he would more often than not send you to a specialist who has experience in treating these disorders.

After confirming the clinical suspicion, the specialist would organize relevant blood tests to diagnose the type of arthritis and the presence and absence of complications. After having assessed the investigations, the specialist would start treatment with appropriate medications.

These may be divided into a few subgroups:

To assess disease activity: CBC, ESR & CRP are common tests done to assess activity.
To assess damage: Radiographs of relevant joints are done for this.
To assess for drug side effects: Routine tests (blood and other) are done on a regular basis to assess for side effects due to drugs.
To assess complication of the disease: Since these arthritis' can affect other organ system, if a particular organ system is suspected to be affected, relevant investigations to assess that particular system.