Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Read more: Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE) Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Lupus Symptoms, Rash, and Treatment
What is Lupus? Learn about lupus symptoms like butterfly rash, joint pain and fatigue. Find causes, diagnosis, and treatments for...
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quiz: Test Your SLE IQ
This Lupus Quiz covers causes, signs, symptoms, facts, and treatments for this inflammatory autoimmune disease....
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What Does It Mean When Your Whole Body Aches?
Body aches and pains can be disruptive and frustrating. Learn many chronic pain causes, including lupus, arthritis, fibromyalgia,...
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Picture of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 1
A chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune disease. See a picture of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and learn...
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Picture of Lupus
A chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune disease. See a picture of Lupus Rash and learn more about the health...
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Picture of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 2
Erythematous, edematous plaques appear in a "butterfly" distribution on the face. See a picture of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus...
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Picture of Acute Systemic Lupus
Acute systemic lupus erythematosus. See a picture of Acute Systemic Lupus and learn more about the health topic....
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The 18 Most Expensive U.S. Medical Conditions
What are the most expensive medical conditions? Learn about heart conditions, brain disorders, back pain and many more expensive...
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Your Face: A Window Into Your Health
What medical problems appear on your face? Look into the mirror and find out. Jaundice, glaucoma, skin cancer, and cracked lips...
QUESTION
Lupus is an infection. See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Rash
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different...
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Kidney Failure (Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Causes, Treatment, and Life Expectancy)
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss,...
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Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not...
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Foot Pain
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout),...
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Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. Strictly...
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Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and...
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Anemia
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin...
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints,...
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Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...
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Graves' Disease (Symptoms, Causes, Diet, Treatment Options)
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Some of the symptoms of Graves' disease include hand tremors,...
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Hair Loss
There are many causes of scalp hair loss. This featured article covers the common ones such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata,...
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Vaginal Bleeding
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are...
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Peripheral Neuropathy (Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Medications)
Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness,...
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is associated with sharp chest pain upon breathing in. Cough, chest...
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Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid in the chest or on the lungs. There are two types of pleural effusion, trandsudate and...
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Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by a pale-blue-red sequence of color changes of the digits, most commonly after exposure to...
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Fatigue (Symptoms, Causes, Treatment)
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental...
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Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. Infection is a common cause of corneal ulcer. Symptoms and signs of corneal ulcer...
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an invasive tumor that develops in the mammary gland. Breast cancer is detected via mammograms, breast...
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Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and...
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Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, is redness or irritation of the conjunctivae, the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids...
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Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points. Stress...
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Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) refers to a decreased number of platelets in the blood. Symptoms of thrombocytopenia...
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Costochondritis and Tietze Syndrome
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the sternum. Tietze syndrome affects the same region of...
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Pericarditis (Symptoms, ECG, Types, Causes, Treatment)
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart. The causes of pericarditis include injury from...
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Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription drugs and certain medical conditions. Symptoms of dry...
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Trigeminal Neuralgia
Pain that originates in the face is referred to as trigeminal neuralgia. This pain may be caused by: an injury, an infection...
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Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs)
Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) is an inflammation of the skin induced by the combination of medications or substances and...
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Seizure (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are...
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Depression
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...
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Sunburn (Sun Poisoning) Symptoms, Pain Relief, Healing Time
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV rays can also damage the eyes. Repeated overexposure to UV...
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Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring throughout the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many conditions including chronic...
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Scleritis
Scleritis is inflammation of the white part of the eye. It may be caused by a serious underlying condition, such as an autoimmune...
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Connective Tissue Disease
Connective tissue disease is when the body's connective tissues come under attack, possibly becoming injured by inflammation....
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Vasculitis (Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Types)
Vasculitis (arteritis, angiitis) is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases which feature inflammation of the blood...
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Heart Murmur in Newborns, Children, and Adults
A heart murmur is a heart problem that can occur, for example, during pregnancy or exercise, or it can be a symptom of serious...
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Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition in which a person has inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa when exposed to gluten in the...
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Lupus
Second Source article from WebMD...
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Pulmonary Hypertension (Symptoms, Treatment Medications, Life Expectancy)
Pulmonary hypertension is an increase pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. The most...
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Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that connects the eye to the brain. The precise cause of optic...
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Lupus
Second Source article from Government...
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or SEID)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) is a debilitating and complex disorder...
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Polymyositis
Polymyositis is a disease of the muscle featuring inflammation of the muscle fibers. It results in weakness of the muscles which...
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Interstitial Pneumonitis (Interstitial Lung Disease)
Interstitial lung disease refers to a variety of diseased that thicken the tissue between the lungs' air sacks. Viruses,...
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Peritonitis
Peritonitis is a bacterial infection inside of the abdomen. Some doctors choose to group the causes of peritonitis into five...
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Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancer is cancer of the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, or lymph...
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Bullous Pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disease that causes blistering eruptions on the skin's surface and sometimes affects the inner...
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Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the medical term for the spontaneous loss of pregnancy from conception to 20 weeks gestation. Risk factors for a...
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Iritis
Iritis is inflammation of the iris, the colored portion of the eye. Symptoms include a red, painful eye, blurry vision, and light...
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Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness, photophobia, and floaters. Treatment...
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Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, but also can be caused by the drying out of the tear...
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Scars
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location...
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Aseptic Necrosis
Aseptic necrosis (avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis) develops when blood supply diminishes to an area of bone and causes bone...
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Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome (phospholipid antibody syndrome or Hughes syndrome) is an immune system disorder with symptoms that...
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Rheumatology
Rheumatology is the study of rheumatic diseases and conditions. Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who treat these...
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Is Lupus Contagious?
Systemic lupus erythematosus in an inflammatory disease. Symptoms and signs include joint pain, fever, and rash. Though lupus is...
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Encephalitis
Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back,...
Treatment & Diagnosis
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP Test, Ranges, Symptoms, Treatment)
- Steroids to Treat Arthritis
- Antinuclear Antibody Test
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan)
- Thyroid Peroxidase Test
- Dialysis
- Sedimentation Rate
- Total Hip Replacement
- LASIK Eye Surgery
- Apheresis (Hemapheresis, Pheresis)
- IV Drug Infusion FAQs
- Skin Biopsy
- Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
- Leg Pain
- Tingling in Hands and Feet
- Red Spots on the Skin
- Mouth Sores
- Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
- Loss of Appetite
- Cold Feet and Toes
- Fatigue, Tiredness, and Lethargy
- Cold Hands
- Low Urine Output
- Rash
- Hemolysis
- Joint Stiffness
- Enlarged Heart
- Nail Separation
- Koilonychia
- Hair Loss
- Headache
- Knee Pain
- Swollen Joints
- Proteinuria (Protein in the Urine)
- Loss of Temperature Sensation
- Joint Redness
- Fever
- Decreased Appetite
- Joint Warmth
- Chapped Lips (Cheilitis)
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Seizure (Epilepsy)
- Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Joint Deformity
- Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
- How to Choose a Doctor
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor's Appointment
- Lupus Alert Day
- Lupus: Living With Systemic Lupus
- Lupus: Dx & Tx
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus FAQs
- Arthritis Roller Coaster
- Arthritis - Whether Weather Affects Arthritis
- Is Lupus Genetic?
- MCTD vs. UCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease vs. Undifferentiated ConnectiveTissue Disease)
- Lupus - 2001 National Meeting Reports
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 2002 Arthritis Conference Report
- National Arthritis Meeting 2003
- SLE Report - 2003 Arthritis Conference
- Psoriasis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis Share One Gene
- Coping with a Bad Disease - Community Counts
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: 2004 Perspectives
- National Arthritis Meeting 2004
- Are Lupus and Psychosis Connected?
- Why Do Pregnant Women Get a Lupus Test?
- Is There a Connection Between Positive ANA and Miscarriage?
- What Is ANA-Negative Lupus?
- Does Discoid Lupus Cause Enlarged Spleen?
- What are The Symptoms of Lupus in a Child?
- Can Lupus Cause Hip Pain?
- Does Lupus Cause Seizures?
- Is There a Test for Fibromyalgia?
- Does Double-Stranded DNA Mean You Have Lupus?
- Does Lupus Affect the Spine?
- Does Lupus Cause Nerve Damage?
- Can Erythema Nodosum Cause Iritis?
- What Are Hypercoagulable States?
- Should People With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Avoid Smoking?
- Ro and La Vs. SS-A and SS-B Antibodies: What Are the Differences?
- How Often Do People Get ANA-Negative Lupus?
- Can UCTD Turn into Lupus?
- What Are Safe Exercises with Lupus?
- Is Lupus Hereditary?
- Is Polyarteritis Nodosa Different from Lupus?
- Sjogren's Syndrome Symptoms, Signs, and Diagnosis
- Lupus: Pain in Neck & Back
- Lupus Nephritis Treatment
- Lupus: 2005 Arthritis Conference Highlights
- Women, Hormones, and Lupus Audio Podcast
Medications & Supplements
- Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos) Corticosteroid
- Beta Blockers (Drug Class, List of Brand and Generic Names)
- Corticosteroids (Systemic, Oral and Injectable)
- aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, Bayer, Ecotrin, and others)
- Birth Control Pills (List of Oral Contraceptives and Side Effects)
- naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, and others)
- Biologics (Biologic Drug Class)
- hydroxychloroquine - oral, Plaquenil
- dexamethasone (Decadron, DexPak)
- tretinoin (Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Atralin, Renova, Avita)
- rituximab (Rituxan)
- misoprostol, Cytotec
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
- prednisolone (Orapred, Pediapred)
- Aspirin Therapy (Guidelines for Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention)
- hydralazine-injection
- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- azathioprine (Azasan)
- dapsone - oral
- omega-3 fatty acids - oral, Max Epa, Omega-3, Salmon Oil,
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- sulindac (Clinoril)
- penicillamine, Cuprimine, Depen
- licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Alcacuz, Sweet Root, Gan Zao, and many others)
- Aralen (chloroquine)
- mometasone, Elocon
- quinidine (Discontinued Brands: Cardioquine, Cin-Quin, Duraquin, Quinidex, Quinora, Quinact)
- belimumab, Benlysta
- chlorambucil - oral, Leukeran
- cyclosporine - intravenous, Sandimmune
Prevention & Wellness
- Gut Microbes May Help Drive Lupus, Study Finds
- Cablivi Approved for Rare Clotting Disorder
- Pregnancy Complications Down for Women With Lupus
- Scans Help Spot Heart Trouble Early in People With Lupus
- Could Fish Oil, Vitamin D Help Ease Lupus?
- Exercise May Stem Kidney Damage in Lupus Patients
- Selena Gomez's Kidney Transplant Puts Lupus Center Stage
- Selena Gomez Had a Kidney Transplant Earlier This Year
- Lupus Hits Certain Groups Harder
- Poverty Could Make Lupus Even Worse
- Drug Offers Some Hope for a Deadly Lung Cancer
- Immune Disorders Such as MS, Psoriasis May Be Tied to Dementia Risk
- How the Neanderthal in Your Genes Affects Your Health
- Delays in Lupus Care Seen Among Minorities, Less Educated
- Nearly 3 Percent of U.S. Adults Have Weakened Immunity: Study
- Gene Test Might Quickly ID Baby's Infection
- Lupus a Tough Disease to Spot, Treat
- Study Suggests Causes for Lupus' Impact on Immune System
- Blood Tests May Predict Pregnancy Risks for Women With Lupus
- Pregnancy Results Good for Women With Controlled Lupus: Study
- Many Women Unaware of Female-Specific Stroke Symptoms
- 'Ground Zero' Workers at Risk of Autoimmune Diseases: Study
- Mercury in Seafood May Raise Risk of Autoimmune Diseases in Women: Study
- Lupus Death Rates Vary by Race, Ethnicity, Study Finds
- Drug Combo Helps Lupus-Related Kidney Condition
- Certain Symptoms Can Delay Lupus Diagnosis, Researchers Report
- Lupus Patients Face High Rehospitalization Rates
- Inflammatory Muscle Disorder May Raise Risk for Heart Attack, Stroke
- Groundbreaking Partnership Formed to Develop New Treatments
- Vitamin D Supplements: FAQ
- Neanderthal DNA Influences Modern Humans: Study
- 10 Percent of U.S. Adults Physically Limited by Arthritis: CDC
- High Blood Pressure, Steroids May Worsen Lupus
- Lupus More Likely to Affect Young, Black Women, Study Finds
- A Blood Test for Fibromyalgia?
- Moms With Lupus More Likely to Have Children With Autism, Study Suggests
- Many Lupus Patients Forgo Needed Medication, Study Finds
- Headaches Accompanying Lupus Often Not Disease-Related, Study Finds
- Severe Blood Infections During Childbirth on Rise in U.S. Women
- Health Tip: Coping With Lupus
- Women With Lupus Seem at Higher Risk for Hip Fractures
- Will New Gout Findings Get a Toehold?
- No Evidence That Lupus Drugs Lead to Cancer, Says Study
- Drug Shows Promise for Lupus Skin Conditions
- Lupus May Be Linked to Serious Pregnancy Complication
- Scientists Inch Closer to Genetic Blueprint of Diseases
- New Immune-Deficiency Illness Emerging in East Asia
- Solving the Medical Mystery of Cold Feet
- Sunburn May Help Rid Body of Radiation-Damaged Cells
- Health Tip: Help Avoid a Lupus Flare
- Belly 'Membrane' May Regulate Immune System, Mouse Study Finds
- Flesh Eating Bacteria and Lupus
- Strides Made in Diagnosing, Treating Lupus
- Eye Color Linked to Skin Diseases
- New Guidelines for Kidney Disease Due to Lupus
- New Lupus Genes Identified
- Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Birth Rates
- Screening Moms-to-Be for Thyroid Trouble May Not Help Offspring
- Study Finds No Link Between HPV Vaccine and Autoimmune Disorders
- Genes May Give Clues to Severe Form of Lupus
- Some Causes of Stillbirth May Be Avoidable: Studies
- Radiation Plus Surgery Cuts Risk of Breast Cancer Return
- The X Factor: Why Women May Be Healthier Than Men
- Supplement May Ease Pain of Hand Osteoarthritis
- FDA: Breast Implant Safety Studies Will Continue
- FDA Questions Studies of Breast Implant Safety
- New Lupus Treatment Benlysta: FAQ
- Scientists Make Discoveries in the Biology of Lupus
- New Guidelines on Women's Heart Risk
- Celiac, Crohn's Disease Share Common Genetic Links
- 1 in 12 Women Will Have Autoimmune Disease
- Overactive Blood Platelets May Play Role in Lupus
- Health Tip: Signs That You May Have Lupus
- Health Tip: Things That Can Trigger Lupus Flares
- Psychotherapy Can Help People With Lupus Cope
- Genes Boost Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus
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