
Should you get a flu shot if you already had the flu?
Vaccination, even after having flu-related illness, is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older with rare exception.
For people with lupus, managing the disease is a life-long journey. Lupus refers to a family of autoimmune diseases that can affect different areas of your body, such as your joints, skin, blood vessels and major organs. It causes your immune system to produce antibodies that attack healthy organs and tissues within your body rather than foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Dean Mayer, a board-certified rheumatologist with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, shares four facts about lupus that people with the autoimmune disorder would like you to know:
“Left untreated, active lupus may result in a number of complications, including various symptoms of illness as well as internal organ injury or failure,” says Dr. Mayer. “However, there is effective treatment with medication, which is the best strategy to reduce flares. Patients should talk with their physician about developing an appropriate plan to address their individual needs.”
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