Lupus

Lupus is a lifelong, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs.

Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from infections. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues and creates self-destructive antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Lupus is also a disease which flares up and goes into remission (the symptoms improve and you feel better).

These are some additional facts about lupus that you should know:

• Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone.
• Lupus is not like or related to cancer.
• Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
• Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
• It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
• Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
• Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
• People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.