SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS:

Symptoms Occurrence
Achy joints (arthralgia) 95%
Fever more than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) 90%
Arthritis (swollen joints) 90%
Prolonged or extreme fatigue 81%
Skin Rashes 74%
Anemia 71%
Kidney Involvement 50%
Pain in the chest on deep breathing (pleurisy) 45%
Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and
nose 42%
Sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity) 30%
Hair loss 27%
Abnormal blood clotting problems 20%
Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers turning white
and/or blue in the cold) 17%
Seizures 15%
Mouth or nose ulcers 12%

PROGNOSIS:

The idea that lupus is generally a fatal disease is one of the gravest misconceptions about this illness. In fact, the prognosis of lupus is much better today than ever before.

It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus and some people do die from the disease. However, people with non-organ threatening disease can look forward to a normal lifespan if they

follow the instructions of their physician, take their medication(s) as prescribed, and know when to seek help for unexpected side effects of a medication or a new manifestation of their lupus. Although some people with lupus have severe recurrent attacks and are frequently hospitalized, most people with lupus rarely require hospitalization. There are many lupus patients who never have to be hospitalized, especially if they are careful and follow their physician's instructions.

New research brings unexpected findings each year. The progress made in treatment and diagnosis during the last decade has been greater than that made over the past 100 years. It is therefore a sensible idea to maintain control of a disease that tomorrow may be curable.

(Information from the Lupus Foundation of America)