Though deadly, this disease is not contagious; it cannot be caught or passed on by someone who does have lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America says “Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS, the immune system is under-active; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.” Researchers suspect that it arises through the interaction of genetics, environmental, and possible hormonal factors. Ten percent of all cases are caused by prescription drugs which are used for irregular heart beat or high blood pressure. Symptoms may withdraw when the medications are halted. The elderly are more susceptible to acquire drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Ninety percent of SLE and DLE causes are not known with …show more content…
This leads to a condition called lupus nephritis. Patients with this condition may eventually develop kidney failure and need kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation. There is no absolute way to avoid lupus erythematosus, but worse symptoms can be avoided. Keeping a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, avoiding stress, exercising regularly, and decreasing the exposure to sunlight are ways to avoid worse symptoms. Also, patients can try to find out what factors worsen their symptoms, and these certain factors can be avoided.
Work Cited
American College of Rheumatology. “Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)”. 2013 www.rheumatology.org
Izenberg, Neil. Human Diseases and Conditions. Charles Scribner’s Sons. 2000. Volume 2. Pg 537-540
Lupus. Arthritis. 2012. Pg.66-67
Lupus Foundation of America Inc. “Explaining Lupus to Others”. 2013