What are typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. Symmetric tenderness, swelling, and warmth in joints.
• B. Pain only in one joint.
• C. Fever with rash.
• D. Joint deformity without pain.

Answer: (A)

Rheumatoid arthritis presents as a chronic inflammatory arthritis that typically hits multiple joints in a symmetric pattern. The hallmark signs are tenderness, swelling, and warmth over affected joints, especially the small joints of the hands and feet, often with morning stiffness that lasts for a meaningful period. This combination signals active synovitis and inflammation rather than simple wear-and-tear or isolated injury. The symmetry helps set it apart from osteoarthritis, which is usually asymmetric and driven more by degenerative changes than acute inflammation. Other patterns—pain in a single joint, fever with rash, or deformity without pain—do not fit the classic inflammatory, symmetrical process seen in RA. So, the description of symmetric tenderness, swelling, and warmth across joints best captures typical RA symptoms.