1.What is rheumatoid arthritis, which joints are most often damaged, and what are the other symptoms besides joint swelling and pain? The term “rheumatoid arthritis” is an incorrect term, or it can barely be said that it includes a category of diseases, not a specific disease. Kou Qiuai, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiyuan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine First, let’s clarify the concept. ”Rheumatic diseases”, a large group of diseases involving connective tissue, includes hundreds of species, some of which involve joints. The most common and confusing ones are “rheumatoid arthritis” and “rheumatic fever”. I think that patients are concerned about “rheumatic fever”, and the following is an explanation of “rheumatic fever”. 2. How does this disease develop, and is it caused by cold? It is caused by streptococcal infection and has nothing to do with cold. The most commonly affected joints are knee joints, ankle joints, elbow joints and other large joints, which are swollen and painful, but also have nodules that are red, hard and painless. With the disease control will disappear relatively quickly. 3.What groups of people are prone to develop the disease? There are more young people. However, this disease is becoming less and less common now. Because of the frequent use of antibiotics. 4.Is the damage to the joints reversible and can the joints return to normal after the disease is cured? Yes, this disease usually does not cause bone destruction and does not lead to joint deformity. 5.Is it possible for all patients with rheumatoid arthritis to get rheumatic heart disease? No. Rheumatic fever can be uncontrolled for a long time, but it is rare now. Rheumatic heart disease” is no longer common in clinical practice. Rheumatoid arthritis usually does not affect the heart. 6.Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured and is it prone to recurrence? It can be cured, but it may come back, but not very easily. Penicillin is effective for this disease, so don’t worry too much about the treatment.