Lupus: An Unpredictable Disease That Can Affect Any Part of the Body—Here Are the Signs

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting over 1 million people in the United States, most of them women.

Lupus can cause redness or a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Lupus is a chronic, incurable autoimmune disease. The name “lupus” comes from the Latin word for “wolf,” a reference first made in the 13th century by a physician who thought the facial lesions of the disease resembled a wolf bite.

Lupus is estimated to affect about 1.5 million people in the United States, with the majority of cases occurring in women, particularly those between ages 15 and 44.