An autoimmune disease, lupus is not a simple disease with an easy answer. You can't take a pill & make it go away. The people you live with & work with may have trouble understanding that you're sick. Lupus doesn't have a clear set of signs that people can see. You may know that something's wrong, even though it may take a while to be diagnosed. Lupus can affect people of different races, ethnicities, & ages, both men & women. The good news is that you can get help & fight lupus. This report provides information on: the signs & symptoms of lupus; what a flare is; what causes lupus; who gets lupus; what the doctor will do; how you can get medicine; how you can cope with lupus; hope through research; & where you can find more info. about lupus.