For diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, essential feature is
The diagnosis, according to the revised Jones criteria, is based upon two or more major manifestations, or one major and two or more minor manifestations; evidence of preceding streptococcal infection is also required.
JONES CRITERIA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATIC FEVER
Major manifestations

Carditis
Polyathritis
Chorea
Erythema marginatum
Subcutaneous nodules Minor manifestations
Fever
Arthralgia
Previous rheumatic fever
Raised ESR or CRP
Leucocytosis
First – degree AV block PLUS
Supporting evidence of preceding streptococcal infection: recent scarlet fever, raised antistreptolysin 0 or other streptococ-cal antibody titre, positive throat culture

N. B. Evidence of recent streptococcal infection.
Prior history of rheumatic fever
Recent sore throat infection
1 major and 2 minor criteria
Erythema marginatum