which can be easily controlled with simple measures. A small minority have more serious manifestations which may require more aggressive forms of treatment.The seriousness of the disease is frequently related to the type and number of organs affected. The following is a summary of some of the signs and symptoms that may occur in lupus patients grouped according to the organs or tissues affected:
             Fever and unusual fatigue occur in up to 80 or 90% of SLE patients at some time during the course of their illness.
             Skin rash a very common feature occurring in many patients. The classic rash is called a "butterfly rash" because it occurs in a butterfly-like patch over the bridge of the nose and cheeks. This type of rash is in fact quite uncommon with most lupus rashes being far less specific and occurring anywhere on the body but especially over sun exposed areas. Many lupus rashes appear to be provoked or aggravated by direct sun exposure.
             Sores may also occur in the nose and mouth, and scalp hair loss may occur in some individuals.
             In a closely related condition called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), the rash may arise as distinct scaly and reddish patches which may heal with scarring. Patients with DLE are frequently otherwise well. They demonstrate few, if any, of the symptoms of SLE and usually have a nearly normal laboratory profile.
             Joints - stiffness, pain, and swelling may commonly occur. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis however, permanent damage to the joints is almost unheard of.
             Membranes of the heart and lungs, the linings of the heart and lungs may occasionally become inflamed in SLE patients leading to sharp chest pains and shortness of breath. If it involves the lung, the condition is called pleuritis. If it affects the heart, the condition is called pericarditis.
             Blood cells - a number of abnormalities may occur in the blood including anaemia or a fall in the red blood cell count and/or falls in the white cell co...