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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)
in Children and Adolescents
What
does Systemic Lupus Erythematosus mean?
Doctors
often use words which you may not understand. It is important to ask your doctor or nurse to explain any words which
you don't understand, just as your doctor may have to ask you what you mean by
some of your words!
The
name Systemic Lupus Erythematosus dates back to the late 19th/early 20th
century when doctors began to realize that it wasn't just a skin condition and
that it was a serious disease. Today, the name is usually replaced by lupus or
SLE because Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus is too long.
Systemic
means affecting many organs or systems of the body. The word signifies that in this disease both internal and external parts of
the body can be involved.
Lupus
means wolf. It refers to the rash
on the face which reminded doctors of the white markings present on a wolf's
face.
Erythematosus
in Latin means red, and refers to the redness of the skin rash which is very
common in lupus.
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