Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system is attacking healthy parts of your body by a mistake,instead of attacking things that could be harming you like viruses. These attacks can cause inflammation (swelling) and damage to almost any part of your body---your joints, brain, skin, kidneys, heart or lungs.

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There are many types of lupus, and different types can cause different symptoms. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and can affect many parts of the body. Other forms of lupus only affect the skin and cause rashes and sores.

 

Lupus is chronic, and without treatment, it can lead to tissue damage and other life-threatening complications like kidney failure, heart attacks and stroke.