Among the hallmarks of RA, in addition to
pain, are swelling, redness, and
heat in the joints. You may run a low-grade fever and have the feeling you're coming down with a virus.
The only way to tell is to visit you doctor, who may refer you to a rheumatologist, who is qualified to treat RA, OA, and a number of related disorders. He or she will most likely examine your hands visually, take x-rays, and probably draw blood for a number of tests.