What It Is Really Like to Be a Friend of Someone with Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is developed when the body’s immune system develops antibodies that target its own structures, causing a wide variety of symptoms. Lupus is considered a systemic disease that can manifest in many different ways from patient to patient. Those who suffer from this illness have problems with their joints, skin, blood cells, heart, brain, lungs, and the kidneys. Luckily, symptoms can often be controlled through regular medication, as well as by making lifestyle changes to accommodate the disease. However, in Johnni’s case, the disease targeted her blood cells and, if left untreated would have caused severe complications.