Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE or Lupus) is a chronic immune-system illness; a condition in which the body's defence mechanism begins to attack itself through an excess of antibodies in the blood stream causing inflammation and damage in the joints, muscles and other organs.
This World Lupus Day, the focus is on diagnosis.
As part of the campaign they will be launching a new video online, featuring three people with lupus discussing their experiences of getting diagnosed with the disease.
LUPUS UK surveys found that the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is 6.4 years and 55% of people with lupus had not heard of the disease until they were diagnosed.
For further information and resources please visi the Lupus UK website.
'The treatment I have received from all the staff has been excellent and could you extend my thanks to them all. A very thankful and relieved patient'.
Patient, Dermatology Outpatients Department, University Hospital of North Durham