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Lupus Health Center

Lupus Overview

Wonder what causes lupus? Lupus, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage. Lupus symptoms vary, and early lupus symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, fever, and a lupus rash, especially after being in the sun. Familiarize yourself with pictures of the lupus rash. Doctors diagnose lupus by symptoms and blood tests. Lupus is not contagious but has a hereditary component, so family health information is important.

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Flesh Eating Bacteria and Lupus

Aimee Copeland, the young Georgia woman battling infection with flesh-eating bacteria, reportedly has lupus. In this expert Q&A, rheumatologist Chaim Putterman discusses lupus and the risk of necrotizing fasciitis.

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Symptoms

If you have lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE), you may be extremely tired, have skin rashes, or have joint pain. If the disease is more serious, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, blood, or nervous system.

Lupus symptoms depend on what body organs are affected and how seriously they are affected.

Symptoms

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