The symptoms of lupus vary from mild to extremely severe and
debilitating. In some patients, only one part of the body—for
example, the skin—is affected. In others, many parts of the body
are affected. Each case is unique in the symptoms that it
produces. Though symptoms of lupus can be chronic, they usually
flare up and subside intermittently. Common symptoms (occurring
in at least 4 out of 5 patients) include: - Swollen and/or
painful joints—Usually the smaller joints of the hands and feet
are affected. They may just hurt, or they may actually become
inflamed. - Fever—A lupus fever is just a degree or two above
normal, but is enough to make you feel ill. - Extreme fatigue,
loss of appetite, weight loss—These are signs of chronic
illness. - Skin rashes (especially on the nose and cheeks)—Most
patients have one of two skin rashes, either a facial rash or
characteristic red patches on sun-exposed areas. Other signs and
symptoms of lupus may include: - Hair loss—This is a fairly
common symptom of lupus. The hai