What is lupus?
Q: What is lupus?
A: Lupus, or Lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease of the immune system where the person's own white blood cells attack healthy parts of the body.
Q: What are some symptoms of lupus?
A: Symptoms of lupus include fatigue, fever with no cause, hair loss, mouth sores, sensitivity to sunlight, a skin disease, and Raynaud's syndrome.
Q: How many people in the US may have lupus?
A: It is estimated that between 270,000 and 1.5 million (1,500,000) people in the US may have lupus.
Q: How many people worldwide may have lupus?
A: It is estimated that over 5 million (5,000,000) people worldwide may have lupus.
Q: Who does lupus mainly affect?
A: Lupus mainly affects young women but men can be affected as well.
Q: Is there a cure for lupus?
A: There is currently no cure for lupus that stops the white blood cells from attacking healthy parts of the body forever but doctors are not giving up on finding a cure.
Q: What type of treatment is available for those with lupus?
A: Treatment for those with lupus includes immunosuppression which involves taking medicine to stop white blood cells from damaging healthy cells temporarily until it wears off and then they go back to hurting healthy parts of the body again.
