Lupus (SLE) Care in Collegeville, PA
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body. Careful, ongoing care helps keep it under control.
What is lupus?
In lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, lungs, and brain. Symptoms vary widely from person to person and often come and go in periods called flares.
Common symptoms
- Joint pain and swelling
- Fatigue that is out of proportion to your activity
- Skin rashes, including a rash across the cheeks and nose, and rashes triggered or worsened by sun
- Fevers without another explanation
- Mouth or nose sores and hair thinning
- Fingers or toes that turn white or blue in the cold (Raynaud's phenomenon)
- Leg swelling or changes in the urine, which can signal kidney involvement
How lupus is diagnosed
Lupus can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions. Evaluation typically includes your history and examination, an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test and other specific antibody tests, blood counts, and kidney function and urine tests.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which organs are involved and how active the disease is. Many patients take hydroxychloroquine, and care may also include other immune-modulating medications or short-term corticosteroids. Regular monitoring of blood and urine tests helps detect flares early and protect your organs, and sun protection is an important part of daily care.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shady Abdelbaki, MD · Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Frequently asked questions about lupus
Is lupus contagious?
No. Lupus is an autoimmune disease and cannot be passed from one person to another.
Does a positive ANA test mean I have lupus?
Not necessarily. A positive ANA is common and also occurs in healthy people and in other conditions, so it has to be interpreted together with your symptoms and other tests.
Can people with lupus live full lives?
With appropriate treatment and regular monitoring, most people with lupus are able to live full, active lives.
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