What are the differences between rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatism refers to arthritis caused by streptococcal infection. It generally has a sharp onset accompanied by sore throat, fever, and increased white blood cells. It mainly involves large joints of the limbs. It is migratory joint swelling and pain. After the joint symptoms disappear, no joint remains. Deformity, rheumatism often manifests as increased anti-O, but rheumatoid factor is negative. In terms of treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, and traditional Chinese medicine drugs that clear the meridians can also relieve symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by multiple factors. The onset is often slow. The main manifestation is the involvement of small joints in the outer weeks, accompanied by morning stiffness. After a long time of disease, it can show joint destruction and joint deformity. After healing, it is very bad. Rheumatoid arthritis patients, serum can often be found rheumatoid factor is positive, in the active period of the disease ESR, C-reactive protein is also increased, treatment in addition to the application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but also should be applied to control the disease drugs, can make the disease can be controlled, no longer progress.