Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where a person s immune system starts attacking the body s healthy tissue. This attack by one s immune system can lead to connective tissue and organ damage. The organs damaged by lupus depend on how the disease progresses through one s body. Some people die from lupus while others may experience a complete remission from the disease. A person may develop lupus at any age but most patients develop it when they are young adults.
Symptoms vary and depend on what organs are being attacked.
However, joint disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis is common in many who have lupus. While the exact cause of lupus is unknown, it is NOT contagious. Thus, you do not need to worry about contracting the disease from an another person. To determine if a person does have lupus, a health care provider can perform a number of diagnostic laboratory tests including blood tests and urinalysis. I would encourage anyone concerned about lupus to speak with their health care provider.