Diagnosis of rheumatic fever. A guide to the criteria and manifestations.

Serious errors may arise from misinterpretation of the Jones criteria for rheumatic fever. Many patients "fulfill" the criteria and yet have another disease. The danger in such cases is that the actual illness is not diagnosed and the patient is not treated for it. If salicylates or steroids are administered prematurely, ie, before the signs and symptoms of rheumatic fever are fully recognizable, a vague syndrome may develop and elicit an uncertain diagnosis and improper treatment.