What is Lupus Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can
damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside
the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to
last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus,
something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part
of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs
("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system
produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from
these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell
the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s
healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies
that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies
cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the
body. - Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen
and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you
feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and
should always be treated