What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues, such as the kidneys, skin, or joints, instead of protecting them.​

*Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

Lupus is NOT contagious. You cannot catch or give lupus, not even through sexual contact.

When most people talk about lupus, they are usually referring to systemic lupus erythematosus however, there are 4 primary forms of lupus.

1. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - The most common form (accounts for approximately 70% of all lupus cases) and typically what people are referring to when they talk about lupus in general.
2. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (skin lupus) - The immune system targets skin cells, causing rashes and sores.
3. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus - Caused by taking certain prescription drugs. Symptoms usually go away once the medication is stopped. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus are hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, minocycline, quinidine, and TNF inhibitors.
4. Neonatal lupus erythematosus - Very rare and affects babies of women who have anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. These autoantibodies are passed on from the mother to the baby and mistakenly target and react to the baby’s tissues or organs. The most serious effect is congenital heart block.

See a word you don't understand? Find it in our glossary.

*The below information pertains to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

• Joint pain, muscle pain, or chest pain​

• Swollen arms, legs, or face

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Confusion (brain fog)

• Hair loss

• Rashes (often worsen after being out in the sun) malar rash (butterfly rash) is a rash across the face signature of lupus

• Mouth sores

Symptoms usually appear in waves called flare-ups (flares). This occurs when there is an increase in disease activity. Flares can be triggered by stress, infection, exhaustion, and other factors.

• Skin - Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight).

• Kidneys - Can cause serious kidney damage. Kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus.

• Heart - Can cause inflammation of heart muscles, arteries, or membrane. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

• Blood and blood vessels - May lead to anemia (reduced number of healthy red blood cells) and increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. Can cause inflammation of blood vessels.

• Brain and central nervous system - May experience memory problems, difficulty expressing thoughts, headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision problems, and strokes or seizures.

• Lungs - Increased risk of developing inflammation of chest cavity lining (makes breathing painful). Bleeding into lungs and pneumonia may occur.

Lupus can also increase your risk of…

• Infection

• Bone tissue death

• Pregnancy complications

• Cancer (small risk)

Experts do not know what causes lupus. However, certain factors make you more likely to develop lupus, including…

• Your health history - Smoking, your stress level, other health conditions (such as autoimmune diseases).

• Your family’s health history - People with a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease are more susceptible to developing lupus.

• Your sex - 9 out of 10 people with lupus are women.

• Age - Lupus is most often diagnosed between ages 15 and 45.

• Race - Lupus is more common in Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos.

Additionally, people with an inherited susceptibility to lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with certain triggers, including…

• Sunlight

• Infections

• Medications

For information on how lupus is diagnosed, visit the article Lupus in the Lab.

There is currently no cure for lupus. However, medication can help alleviate symptoms. For information on lupus medications, visit the article Medication for Lupus.

​Lupus facts and statistics | Lupus Foundation of America

Lupus: Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Symptoms & causes | Mayo Clinic

What is Lupus? | Lupus Foundation of America