SKIP TO MY LUPUS, INC.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                 

1. Have you ever had achy, painful and/or swollen joints for more than three months?
2. Have you ever had sores in your mouth or nose that lasted more than five days, or sores on your skin that would not heal?
3. Have you ever had chest pain while taking deep breaths?
4. Have you ever felt persistent, extreme fatigue and weakness for days or weeks at a time, even after plenty of sleep?
5. Have you ever had a seizure, blood clot, heart attack, stroke, miscarriage, or unexplained confusion that lasts for more than an hour?
6. Has the sun ever given you a rash that is not sunburn?
7. Have you ever had sudden unexplained hair loss?
8. Have you ever had a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few days?
9. Have you ever had redness or rash in the shape of a butterfly across your nose and cheeks?
10. Have you ever been told you have anemia, low white blood cell count, or low platelet count?
11. Have your fingers and/or toes ever become red or blue, or felt numb or painful?

    If you have had any symptoms like these, especially if you have had several, talk to your doctor about lupus. Early diagnosis and proper medical care are vital. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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).


Is Lupus contagious?

Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.


Is Lupus hereditary?

Lupus is not hereditary in that the disease itself is passed from parent to child. It is hereditary in that a predisposition to developing the disease is passed down from parent to child. It is important to recognize this distinction. Not everyone with a parent who has lupus will develop the disease itself, and children can develop the disease even if neither of their parents has lupus.
 

Is there a cure for Lupus?

At present, there is no cure for lupus. However, lupus can be effectively treated with drugs, and most people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of feeling better or remissions.