SO WHAT IS
LUPUS?
Lupus is an inflammatory disease where the
immune system attacks its own tissues
causing one to feel ill. The function of the
protect the body from infection but when one
has lupus the ability to ward off infection is
impaired and the body instead of protecting
itself from bacteria and viruses, attacks its
own body tissues.
Lupus is a chronic disease which means the
symptoms last longer than six weeks and
often for many years.
The latin word for lupus is wolf and it attacks
virtually every organ in the body – the skin,
joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and blood.
Lupus is a disease of flares and remissions.
One minute the symptoms worsen (or the wolf
awakens) and sufferers feel ill, the next
minute the symptoms improve and they feel
better.
Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening
and should always be treated by a doctor. With
good medical care, most people with lupus can
lead a full life. Fifteen percent of newly
diagnosed lupus patients had even ever heard
of lupus.
47