Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissue. This can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the skin, joints, brain, lungs, heart, blood cells and kidneys. These symptoms include headache, rash, anemia, fatigue, hair loss and blood-clotting problems. Other symptoms of SLE are specific to the body part where the abnormal antibodies are attacking.

To diagnose SLE, several tests must be taken by the patient, according to Healthline. These primary tests include complete blood count, chest X-ray, urinalysis, kidney biopsy and antibody test.

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