Did you know that lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disease whose name derives from the Latin word for wolf? The disease got its name when a 13th century physician described the facial lesions of a lupus sufferer as resembling a wolf’s bite.
How much do you know about lupus? Take the Lupus Foundation of America Lupus Awareness Quiz to find out:
1. Is lupus contagious?
Yes No
2. Is lupus a form of cancer?
Yes No
3. Which of these symptoms is a sign of lupus?
Fever
Painful or swollen joints
Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
Hair loss
All of the above
4. Is lupus related to HIV/AIDS?
Yes No
5. Is lupus life threatening?
Always
Never
Depends on the severity
6. Can children have lupus?
Yes No
7. How many years on average does it take to get an accurate lupus diagnosis from the time when symptoms are first presented?
1 year
3 years
6 years
10 years
Answers: 1. No, lupus is not contagious. You cannot “catch” lupus from someone or “give” lupus to someone. 2. No, lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. However, some treatments for lupus may include immunosuppressant drugs that are also used in chemotherapy. 3. All of the above are symptoms of lupus. Other symptoms include: headaches; extreme fatigue; anemia; swelling in feet, hands, legs, or around eyes; pain in chest on deep breathing; sun- or light-sensitivity; abnormal blood clotting; fingers turning white or blue when cold; and mouth or nose ulcers. 4. No, 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 underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive. 5. Lupus can range from mild to life threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life. 6. Yes, thousands of children and teens in the United States are living with lupus. In children, lupus tends to be more aggressive and severe than it is in adults. The symptoms are more intense, and the disease can have long-term effects on a child’s growth, quality of life, and even how long they live. 7. It takes an average of six years to get an accurate lupus diagnosis. That’s six years of pain, fatigue, and confusion—and it’s six years too many.
Source: Lupus Foundation of America, https://www.lupus.org/lupus-awareness-month#
