It belongs to the family of rheumatic diseases, occurring when antibodies that normally are produced to fight infection instead attack healthy tissue.
Lupus occurs mainly in young women, particularly during childbearing years.
Symptoms may wax and wane often disappearing only to return. Rashes are not confined to the face, however, and may appear on the neck and arms. They may worsen when exposed to sun. Other early signs include fever, weakness, fatigue, joint pain, chest pain, or weight loss. People with lupus sometimes develop problems with the kidneys, nervous system and other organs.