• More people have lupus
    than AIDS, sickle-cell
    anemia, cerebral palsy,
    multiple sclerosis and
    cystic fibrosis combined.

  • African Americans,
    Latinos, Native
    Americans and Asians
    are more likely to have
    lupus than the general
    population.

  • Lupus is 10 to 15 times
    more likely to strike
    women than men.

  • 1 out of every 185
    Americans has lupus.

  • Lupus is not a visible
    disease and often takes
    years to diagnose
    properly.

  • There is no cure for
    lupus, but treatment is
    available.
The Lupus Support Network
P.O. Box 17841
Pensacola Fl  32522-7841
800.458.8211
850.478.8107
www.thelupussupportnetwork.org
questions@thelupussupportnetwork.org
    ACR Lupus Criteria

  • Have you ever had achy,
    painful and/or swollen
    joints for more than three
    months?
  • Have you ever had an
    unexplained fever of over
    100 degrees for more
    than a few days?
  • Have you ever
    experienced persistent,
    extreme
    fatigue/exhaustion and
    weakness for days or
    even weeks at a time,
    even after 6-8 hours of
    restful nighttime sleep?
  • Have you ever had a
    sensitivity to the sun
    where your skin “breaks
    out” after being in the
    sun (not a sunburn)?
  • Have you ever been told
    that you have a low
    blood count(s) -  anemia,
    low white cell count or a
    low platelet count?
  • Have you ever been told
    you have protein in your
    urine?
  • Have you ever had chest
    pain with breathing for
    more than a few days
    (pleurisy)?
  • Do your fingers and/or
    toes become pale, numb
    or uncomfortable in the
    cold?
  • Have you ever had a
    prominent redness or
    color change on your
    face in the shape of a
    butterfly across the
    bridge of your nose and
    cheeks?
  • Have you ever had a
    seizure or convulsion?
  • Have you had any sores
    in your mouth that lasted
    for more than two weeks?

If you answer “yes” to at least
three of these questions, you
should consult with  your
doctor and discuss any
questions you may have
about lupus.
           Lupus Myths

  • Lupus is contagious

  • Lupus is a form of cancer

  • Lupus is like aids

  • Lupus is all in a person's
    mind

  • Only women get lupus

  • You can not die from lupus

  • There is a cure for lupus

  • Lupus can be sexually
    transmitted

  • Caucasians are more likely
    to have lupus

  • The ANA is the definitive
    test for lupus

  • Aspartame causes lupus

  • Lupus patients can't
    exercise
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of
the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The body's
immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect
the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These
foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder such
as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference
between foreign substances (antigens) and its own cells and tissues.
The immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self."
These antibodies, called "auto-antibodies," react with the "self"
antigens to form immune complexes. The immune complexes build up
in the tissues and can cause inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain.