About Lupus

What is Lupus?  

Lupus is a member of the Autoimmune Rheumatic diseases. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a malfunction of the immune system. Personally I refer to my immune system as being in a constant state of complete confusion. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious type of Lupus. In Lupus the immune system that normally protects itself from germs, viruses, and bacteria malfunctions and cannot distinguish between the body's own cells, tissues, and that of foreign invaders, like viruses. In Lupus rather than the immune system protecting itself by producing antibodies to attack foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria the immune system creates auto-antibodies that attack its own immune system thus attacking the bodies own  tissues by mistake.

When this happens, persons living with Lupus can suffer a (Lupus Flare) primarily inflammation. There are a wide range of symptoms caused by inflammation the most common are pain, fatigue, fever, swelling, and tissue damage. Symptoms may also include the loss of function of internal organs other symptoms caused by Lupus may also affect the external organs (usually the skin.)

Types of Lupus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The most common form of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, can affect many several parts of the body, including the joints, skin, organs, and blood vessels.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

In Discoid Lupus, chronic inflammatory sores develop on the skin usually on the face, ears, scalp but also may show on other parts of the body.

Drug-Induced Lupus

Drug-induced lupus is a condition that produces the same symptoms of lupus. It’s brought on by certain types of drugs, usually taken over a long period of time. Symptoms of Drug Induced Lupus are completely reversible and stop once the drug is discontinued.

Neonatal Lupus

This is a rare form of lupus that affects a fetus or newborn. It occurs when the mother’s auto antibodies are passed to her child in the uterus. These auto antibodies can affect the skin, heart, and/or blood of the baby; symptoms usually show in the first few months of  life.

Questions and Misconceptions about Lupus

Is Lupus contagious?

Lupus is not contagious this includes skin sores caused by Discoid Lupus. Even through sexual contact you cannot catch Lupus or give someone Lupus.  

 

Is Lupus related to the Cancer and or HIV/AIDS family of diseases? 

In Cancer the tissues grow rapidly and expand to surrounding tissues in Lupus this does not happen, Lupus is an Auto Immune disease. In HIV/AIDS the immune system is under active, in Lupus the immune system is over active.

 

Lupus is a woman’s disease 

Lupus does not select gender; Lupus is most commonly found in woman 15-45 years of age but can also strike men and children.

 

Is Lupus Fatal? 

Symptoms, flare ups, and or hospitalization due to Lupus will vary on an individual bases. With proper treatment most people living with Lupus will live a normal life span.