National Lupus Awareness Campaign

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• What is Lupus?
• About the Campaign
• Learn More
• Additional Resources

What is Lupus?

Lupus (LOO-puhss) is a chronic, autoimmune (aw-toh-ih-MYOON) disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and other germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”). In lupus, your immune system creates autoantibodies (AW-toh-AN-teye-bah-deez), which attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. Learn more about lupus.

About the Campaign

The Could I Have Lupus? campaign is designed to heighten awareness and create a sense of urgency about lupus. With the help of women who are actually living with lupus, we are sending a message to women who are suffering from lupus symptoms — that they can find support, hope and, most of all, answers. They just have to start by asking the right question: "Could I have lupus?"

Learn More

To learn more about the National Lupus Awareness Campaign, visit http://www.couldIhavelupus.gov. To obtain campaign materials, visit the Ad Council Lupus Awareness page.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Eliminate Disparities in Lupus — This resource talks about the different types of lupus. It also discusses the higher rate of lupus in minority women. Although African American women have the highest risk, other minorities are also at risk. This resource also has links to additional information on lupus.

   http://www.cdc.gov/omhd/AMH/factsheets/lupus.htm

2.   Frequently Asked Questions — Lupus — This publication provides information on lupus, a disease that affects your immune system, causing it to attack healthy cells. It explains who lupus affects, the different types of lupus, its signs, symptoms, causes, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also provides information on how to cope with the pain and stress of having lupus and whom to contact for more information.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/lupus.htm

3.   Lupus Guide — These patient information sheets are excerpts from Lupus: A Patient Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals. The patient information sheets in this chapter cover a range of topics about lupus and lupus medications and can help with this aspect of patient care. It includes a total of 20 patient information sheets.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/lupusguide/chp7.htm

4. Lupus: Basics for Better Living (Copyright © LFA) — Although there is no "cure" for lupus, you can make lifestyle adjustments that help fight the disease and give you an improved sense of well-being. Many of these don't require spending money. They are things like diet, exercise, reducing your exposure to the sun, and not smoking. Working with your health provider is very important, but you also have the power to help yourself. Learn more about how you can live better with lupus.

   http://www.lupus.org/education/brochures/better03.html

5. Lupus: Pregnancy and Family Planning (Copyright © S.L.E. Lupus Foundation) — Women living with lupus need to plan early if they are thinking of becoming pregnant. Complications can arise during pregnancy. This publication provides questions and answers for women who have lupus and are thinking about becoming pregnant.

   http://www.lupusny.org/showtopics.php?pregnancy#

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, HHS
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. Alliance for Lupus Research
4. Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
5. S.L.E. Lupus Foundation
6. The Lupus Support Network

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 31, 2009.