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Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, with symptoms lasting anywhere from a few weeks to many years. Put simply, the body’s autoimmune system can’t tell the difference between bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents, and the body’s own healthy tissues. It also varies in severity; for some patients, it is a life-threatening condition, while for others, the symptoms are only mild. With the right medication, patients with lupus can live a full, rewarding life.
There are also many misconceptions about lupus. It is not like cancer or HIV/AIDs. It is not contagious. It’s estimated that 1.5 million people in America are living with lupus. (Though this number may actually be higher since there has never been a large-scale study on lupus.) More than 16,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, and it is believed that five million people around the world are affected by some form of Lupus.