What You Need to Know About Lupus and Sinus Infections

Lupus is a painful disease. Those with lupus are often in pain, even though treatment has improved in recent years. When this disease reaches a serious form, it is deadly. People with lupus are vulnerable to infection, as its treatment tends to weaken the immune system. Understanding Lupus and sinus infections, in particular, are of a great concern, as sinus infection risks are greatly heightened with Lupus.

Forms of Lupus

There are four forms of lupus:

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Otherwise known as SLE, or an SLE infection, this form of lupus attacks almost every part of your body and is considered the most severe form.
• Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: This form only affects the skin.
• Drug-induced Lupus: This form is brought on by certain medications intended to treat other ailments.
• Neonatal Lupus: This is a rare form of lupus that occurs in newborns.

Developing a Sinus Infection and Risks with Lupus

When people with lupus develop sinus infections, their white blood cells cannot fight the infection. This is because lupus treatment involves suppressing the white blood cells from attacking the organs in your body.

Lupus also prevents cells from fighting infections properly. When the infection isn’t stopped by the white blood cells, it increases the risk of the infection spreading. Thus, Lupus and infections of any kind are a deadly pairing.

Higher Infection Risks from SLE

Those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at higher risk of sinus infections becoming serious. They are receiving a much higher dose of the treatments to fight their form of lupus and their white blood cells are much more compromised.

SLE patients often die of complications from other infections. As many as 20 to 50 percent of the deaths resulting from patients with lupus were actually caused by an infection playing a large role.

Solutions to Lupus, Infections and Sinus Infection Risks

Successful treatment of lupus is understanding the complications that stem from the disease. You need to take steps to avoid hazards and be aware of when you will require specific treatment should particular concerns arise.

Make a special consideration for the risks of Lupus and infections. There are medications to fight lupus that will not compromise your immune system. It is also extremely important that you wear sunscreen whenever you are outside. The sun’s ultraviolet rays will increase your lupus symptoms.

There are vaccinations that are able to stop certain infections before you contract them. Pneumonia vaccines are available and vitally important. If you have SLE, you should receive two doses of the vaccine within a five-year period.

Flu shots are also extremely important and should be received each year. It has been shown not to cause flu in those with SLE if they take this vaccine. You should, however, avoid live virus vaccines, such as the MMR that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Polio, yellow fever, and typhoid vaccines should also be avoided.

Sinus infections can be the result of multiple conditions. They are also either bacterial or viral and can even develop from a common cold. However, if you are suffering from lupus, sinus infection risks for Lupus and SLE are exponentially higher. It is important that you take precautions from developing these infections or any other infection.

If you think you have the symptoms of a sinus infection, the best thing you can do is consult with a doctor regarding the best course of action to take for treatment.