A group of autoimmune diseases in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being the most common form.
Lupus can cause inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, lungs, heart, and nervous system. Symptoms and severity can vary substantially between individuals and over time.
The term “lupus” can refer broadly to several related conditions, while systemic lupus erythematosus specifically refers to the systemic autoimmune disease.
QUICK FACT
Lupus is not contagious. It results from abnormal immune activity rather than an infection that spreads from person to person.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): the specific systemic autoimmune disease commonly meant when people use the word “lupus.”
SEE ALSO