Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition, meaning a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, leading to widespread inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and joint pain. This chronic inflammatory process often results in a low-grade fever. Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F, and fevers under 101°F are not uncommon in RA patients and are not considered serious in adults. The main reason for these fevers is the way the body’s immune system responds in RA.
Fever and fatigue are among the initial symptoms of RA for many people, even before joint pain becomes evident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is a common pattern. RA-related fevers are generally caused by inflammation, as the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the joints, leading to these symptoms.
In addition to these symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect more than just the joints. In some individuals, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis has a worldwide distribution with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 2%, increasing with age and approaching 5% in women over 55. The average annual incidence in the United States is about 70 per 100,000 people annually.
Medications used to treat RA, which often suppress the immune system, can also be a factor in fevers. These medicines are designed to reduce the immune response that leads to joint inflammation and damage.
For more information on this topic, visit Healthline, Medical News Today, Verywell Health, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, CreakyJoints, and myRAteam.
