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Lupus Fact Sheet Lupus Fact Sheet Lupus Fact Sheet Lu pu
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes
inflammation of various part of the body, especially inflammation of various part of the body, especially inflammation of various part of the body, especially inflammation of various part of the body, especially
the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune system the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune system the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune system the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune
normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria system normally protects the body against viruses,
and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoim-
like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell mune disease like lupus, the immune system loses its
the difference between foreign substances and its own the difference between foreign substances and its own the difference between foreign substances and its own ability to tell the difference between foreign sub-
cells and tissue. The immune system then makes anti- cells and tissue. The immune system then makes anti- cells and tissue. The immune system then makes anti- stances and its own cells and tissue. The immune
bodies directed against self. bodies directed against self. bodies directed against self. system then makes antibodies directed against self.
Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous. Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous. Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous. Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.
Research data shows that between 1.400,000 and Research data shows that between 1.400,000 and Research data shows that between 1.400,000 and Research data shows that between 1.400,000 and
2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus. 2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus. 2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus. 2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus.
(1994 data) (1994 data) (1994 data) (1994 data)
Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists
suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to suspect that individuals are genetically predis-
lupus, and know that environmental factors such as lupus, and know that environmental factors such as lupus, and know that environmental factors such as posed to lupus, and know that environmental fac-
infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress tors such as infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light,
and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering extreme stress and certain drugs play a critical role
lupus. lupus. lupus. in triggering lupus.
Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans and strikes Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans and strikes Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans and strikes Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans and
adult women 10-15 times more frequently than adult adult women 10-15 times more frequently than adult adult women 10-15 times more frequently than adult strikes adult women 10-15 times more frequently
men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, than adult men. Lupus is more prevalent in African
Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians. Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians. Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians. Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and
Asians.
Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close
relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close
develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may
individuals with lupus will develop the illness. individuals with lupus will develop the illness. individuals with lupus will develop the illness. develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born
to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms
come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms
symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some
pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle
sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by
loss, sores in the nose or mouth, or painful sensitivity of loss, sores in the nose or mouth, or painful sensitivity of loss, sores in the nose or mouth, or painful sensitivity of sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appe-
the fingers to the cold. the fingers to the cold. the fingers to the cold. tite loss, sores in the nose or mouth, or painful sensi-
tivity of the fingers to the cold.
Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening
and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, Although lupus ranges from mild to life-
the majority of cases can be controlled with proper the majority of cases can be controlled with proper the majority of cases can be controlled with proper threatening and thousands of Americans die with
treatment. treatment. treatment. lupus each year, the majority of cases can be con-
trolled with proper treatment.
While there is currently no cure for lupus, new re- While there is currently no cure for lupus, new re- While there is currently no cure for lupus, new re-
search brings unexpected findings and increased search brings unexpected findings and increased search brings unexpected findings and increased While there is currently no cure for lupus, new
hope each year. hope each year. hope each year. research brings unexpected findings and in-
creased hope each year.
Test Yourself for Lupus Test Yourself for Lupus Test Yourself for Lupus Test Yourself for Lupus
1. Have you ever had achy, painful and/or 1. Have you ever had achy, painful and/or 1. Have you ever had achy, painful and/or
swollen joints for more than three swollen joints for more than three 1. Have you ever had achy, painful and/or
swollen joints for more than three
months? months? swollen joints for more than three months?
months?
2. Have you ever had an unexplained 2. Have you ever had an unexplained fever 2. Have you ever had an unexplained fever
2. Have you ever had an unexplained fever
fever of over 100 degrees for more of over 100 degrees for more than a few of over 100 degrees for more than a few
of over 100 degrees for more than a few
than a few days? days? days?
days?
3. Have you ever experienced persistent, 3. Have you ever experienced persistent, 3. Have you ever experienced persistent,
3. Have you ever experienced persistent,
extreme fatigue/exhaustion and weak- extreme fatigue/exhaustion and weak- extreme fatigue/exhaustion and weakness
extreme fatigue/exhaustion and weak-
ness for days or even weeks at a time, ness for days or even weeks at a time, for days or even weeks at a time, even
ness for days or even weeks at a time,
even after 6-8 hours of restful nighttime even after 6-8 hours of restful nighttime after 6-8 hours of restful nighttime sleep?
even after 6-8 hours of restful nighttime
sleep? sleep? 4. Have you ever had a sensitivity to the sun
sleep?
4. Have you ever had a sensitivity to the 4. Have you ever had a sensitivity to the where your skin “breaks out” after being in
4. Have you ever had a sensitivity to the
sun where your skin “breaks out” after sun where your skin “breaks out” after the sun (not a sunburn)?
sun where your skin “breaks out” after
being in the sun (not a sunburn)? being in the sun (not a sunburn)? 5. Have you ever been told that you have a
being in the sun (not a sunburn)?
5. Have you ever been told that you have 5. Have you ever been told that you have a low blood count(s) - anemia, low white
5. Have you ever been told that you have a
a low blood count(s) - anemia, low low blood count(s) - anemia, low white cell count or a low platelet count?
low blood count(s) - anemia, low white
white cell count or a low platelet count? cell count or a low platelet count? 6. Have you ever been told you have protein
cell count or a low platelet count?
6. Have you ever been told you have pro- 6. Have you ever been told you have pro- in your urine?
6. Have you ever been told you have pro-
tein in your urine? tein in your urine? 7. Have you ever had chest pain with breath-
tein in your urine?
7. Have you ever had chest pain with 7. Have you ever had chest pain with ing for more than a few days (pleurisy)?
7. Have you ever had chest pain with
breathing for more than a few days breathing for more than a few days 8. Do your fingers and/or toes become pale,
breathing for more than a few days
(pleurisy)? (pleurisy)? numb or uncomfortable in the cold?
(pleurisy)?
8. Do your fingers and/or toes become 8. Do your fingers and/or toes become pale, 9. Have you ever had a prominent redness or
8. Do your fingers and/or toes become pale,
pale, numb or uncomfortable in the numb or uncomfortable in the cold? color change on your face in the shape of
numb or uncomfortable in the cold?
cold? 9. Have you ever had a prominent redness a butterfly across the bridge of your nose
9. Have you ever had a prominent redness
9. Have you ever had a prominent red- or color change on your face in the shape and cheeks?
or color change on your face in the shape
ness or color change on your face in of a butterfly across the bridge of your 10. Have you ever had a seizure or convul-
of a butterfly across the bridge of your
the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks? sion?
nose and cheeks?
bridge of your nose and cheeks? 10. Have you ever had a seizure or convul- 11. Have you had any sores in your mouth
10. Have you ever had a seizure or convul-
10. Have you ever had a seizure or convul- sion? that lasted for more than two weeks?
sion?
sion? 11. Have you had any sores in your mouth 11. Have you had any sores in your mouth
11. Have you had any sores in your mouth that lasted for more than two weeks? If you answer “yes” to at least three of
that lasted for more than two weeks?
that lasted for more than two weeks? these questions, you should consult with
If you answer “yes” to at least three of your doctor and discuss any questions
If you answer “yes” to at least three of
If you answer “yes” to at least three of these questions, you should consult with you may have about lupus.
these questions, you should consult with
these questions, you should consult your doctor and discuss any questions your doctor and discuss any questions
with your doctor and discuss any you may have about lupus. you may have about lupus.
questions you may have about lupus.
(850) 478-8107; 800-458-8211 (850) 478-8107; 800-458-8211 (850) 478-8107; 800-458-8211 (850) 478-8107; 800-458-8211
questions@thelupussupportnetwork.org questions@thelupussupportnetwork.org questions@thelupussupportnetwork.org questions@thelupussupportnetwork.org
www.lsnflorida.org www.lsnflorida.org www.lsnflorida.org www.lsnflorida.org
