What is Lupus?

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease which causes long term inflammation in many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. The disease is characterized by episodes of wellness and illness. Periods of illness are called 'flares'.

Lupus usually appears in one of two forms - systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). SLE is the most common form of lupus, and it can can affect several parts of the body, while DLE involves inflammation of the skin only.

What causes lupus?

In an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks the person's own body, leading to inflammation. While the exact cause is unknown, a combination of hereditary, environmental and hormonal factors may play a part in triggering the illness. Other triggers include bacteria and viruses.

Who are at risk?

Women are 9 times more likely to get it than men. It is also more common in Asian, Black and Hispanic races. Having a close relative with lupus seems to increase your chances as well. It can show up for the first time during pregnancy or shortly after birth, and women with lupus can have flares around this time.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Lupus can be mild or severe, and there are times when there are no symptoms at all. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Butterfly-shaped rash over the nose and cheeks, neck or chest. 
• Skin becomes more sensitive to the sun.
• Mouth ulcers
• Joint pains affecting the knees, wrists, hands and fingers.
• Kidney problems (may lead to high blood pressure and ankle swelling).
• Others: headaches, seizures, dizziness, eye problems and behavioral changes.
• During flares, people feel very tired and may have a fever.

How is it diagnosed?

Usually diagnosed through medical history and physical examination, and presence of defining symptoms. However, the diagnosis can be difficult, as the disease varies from person to person, fluctuates with time, and affects many different parts of the body. Therefore it may not be diagnosed until the symptoms become more obvious. To help confirm the diagnosis, blood tests including a test for antinuclear antibody (ANA), may be done. If the ANA test is positive, it means that the immune system is being stimulated, which ties in with lupus.

What are the treatments?

The objective of treatment is to ease the symptoms and reduce long term complications. It also depends on which part of it is affected. Medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen), steroids and drugs to suppress the immune system. Anti-malarial drugs appear to be effective for the rashes, joint pain and internal inflammation. Patients may also be advised to rest, exercise, and avoid sun exposure.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes

It is a sexually transmitted infection that can't be cured.

What causes genital herpes?

It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The Type 1 virus typically gives cold sores on the lips, while the Type 2 virus affects the genitals. With the increasing practice of oral sex, Type 1 is now also a common cause of genital herpes.

Who are at risk?

Anyone who has ever had sex (especially with someone who has it) is at risk. It can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and also by touching the infected area of the person who has it.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The disease can range from being totally without symptoms, and therefore unknown to the person carrying it, to mild itchy, tender red spots on the genitals, to excruciating blisters and sores of the genirals with fever and general unwellness. Other symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Shooting pains in the back and legs
• Swollen groin glands
• Difficulty passing urine

After the first attack, which may last up to 3 weeks, recurrences may occur, of which are often milder and shorter-lived. The recurrences may be frequent (e.g. monthly) or rare.

What are the complications?

• You can spread it to others.
• You have a higher risk for HIV infection.
• If you are pregnant, your baby could get infected while being born.

How is it diagnosed?

A doctor specializing in the skin or in sexual infections will often make a diagnosis based on the patient's history and on examination. Swabs can be sent to the lab, which may be helpful in trying to confirming the diagnosis.

What are the treatments?

The goal of treatment for genital herpes is to provide relief from herpes sores and to shorten the time for the outbreak to heal. Treatment works best if it is started as soon as possible after the start of an outbreak.

Anti-viral drugs, such as aciclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir, are recommended to treat first genital herpes outbreak. Most people find relief and recover more quickly (e.g. heal the sores) from the first attack by taking antiviral medicines. Antiviral medicines also helps prevent further outbreaks and reduces the risk of people passing the virus to their sex partner(s).

To reduce pain and fever from genital herpes, one may use non-prescription drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophencan.

Patients may need some counseling to come to terms with the infection, and to learn how to prevent transmission to sexual partners.