Jones Criteria for Acute Rheumatic Fever Diagnosis

Use in the diagnosis of suspected acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

Diagnosis of ARF is a clinical diagnosis based on these standard diagnostic criteria.

Do not use to measure rheumatic activity, establish the diagnosis of inactive or chronic rheumatic heart disease, or to predict the course or severity of the disease.

An initial presentation of possible ARF should not be diagnosed based on minor criteria alone.

Other illnesses may mimic ARF. Laboratory evidence of an antecedent group A streptococcal (GAS) infection (i.e., streptococcal antibody titers, positive throat culture or rapid Strep test) is mandatory to establish the diagnosis.

Only GAS infections of the upper respiratory tract lead to ARF; GAS skin infections do not lead to ARF.

A 2015 revision made modifications to the criteria, most notably providing two separate diagnostic pathways for those at low risk and those at moderate/high risk, and adding subclinical carditis as a major criterion. However, the 1992 (original) version remains popular in clinical use.

Children less than 3 years of age are unlikely to develop an autoimmune response that leads to ARF. Even with laboratory evidence of GAS infection, consider other diagnoses first. Expert consultation with pediatric infectious disease, cardiology, and/or rheumatology may be helpful.

Myocarditis without valvulitis (without new murmur or echo evidence suggestive of RHD) is unlikely to be rheumatic in origin.

To establish a diagnosis of initial or recurrent acute rheumatic fever. 

Failing to meet the criteria suggests that another diagnosis is more likely.

Adherence to the Jones Criteria will help prevent over-diagnosis and the long-term sequelae of over-diagnosis such as prophylactic antibiotic use, patient/family stress, and insurance concerns.