1. Fever and Other Signs of Infection 

RA triggers the immune system into attacking the joints, much like the body is trained to attack viruses and bacteria to prevent infection. Therefore, people with RA often will experience fever and other signs of infection. A fever is the body's way of responding to foreign substances in the body, and in the case of RA, the immune system incorrectly is flagging healthy joint tissue as an irritant. 

A low-grade fever may be a symptom of RA, although other symptoms should be identified first before jumping to the conclusion of RA. Many of the symptoms of RA are generic and do not directly associate with the disease. 

If you identify with several of these symptoms at once, it's a sign that you should speak with your doctor or consult a rheumatologist for further testing and evaluation. When diagnosed at an early stage, there are many treatments and therapies available to help ease the pain and slow the progression of the damage. 

As always, if you experience any drastic changes in your health or notice anything alarming about your body, contact your doctor for further advice.