What is Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of
the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the
signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.
In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of
the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign
invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins
called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means
your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders
and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and
creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These
autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the
body.
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Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms
worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel
better). 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.
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Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You
cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to
someone.
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Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of
malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding
tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
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Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency
Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune
system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
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Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have
lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale
studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
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It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a
form of lupus.
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Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However,
men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
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Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
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People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
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More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across
the country.
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