While there is still no cure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), great strides have been made in RA research over the last 2 decades. It's important to keep up with these developments and ask your rheumatologist about their potential.

Since the 1980s, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been the standard among RA treatments because they do more than just treat symptoms. They can actually slow the development of RA.

In the 1990s, a new type of DMARD called biologic DMARDs was introduced. Many of these treatments target a chemical in the immune system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is directly involved in the inflammation of RA. These drugs are known as anti-TNFs (also called TNF inhibitors).

Today, there are other types of biologics that target different parts of the immune system to treat RA. One particular type of biologic that has been effective for many people is called targeted B-cell therapy. To learn more, click here.

It's important to know that taking a B-cell therapy may increase your chances of getting an infection. If your rheumatologist decides to start you on a B-cell therapy, be sure to tell him or her if you experience a nagging cough, fever, chills, congestion, or any flu-like symptoms.