Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common rheumatologic disease, and the manifestations of the disease vary widely from person to person. In mild cases, it may present only as skin symptoms, mouth ulcers, hair loss or joint pain, while in more severe cases, it may present as organ involvement, such as lupus nephritis, hematologic involvement (thrombocytopenia, erythrocytosis and/or leukopenia), or neuropsychiatric disorders, or even death. Lupus patients need to pay attention to infections Lupus can damage the blood system, leading to leukopenia, which reduces the number of troops in the body that can fight off enemy troops (foreign pathogens); the disease also affects the function of white blood cells (including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes and macrophages), which further diminishes their ability to fight off enemy troops. Originally, our troops were small in number and poorly equipped to a fault, which naturally made them vulnerable to defeat by the enemy. As a result, lupus patients are prone to infections. In order to keep the disease under control, patients need to receive medication. Some medications suppress a person’s immunity to a certain extent and may also increase the chance of infection. In addition, old age, hypoalbuminemia, malnutrition, moderate anemia, lupus nephritis and hypocomplementemia have also been proven to be behind infections. Lupus patients are more prone to secondary infections, bacterial, viral and fungal, compared to normal people. Infections are most common in the respiratory and urinary tracts and can also occur in the skin, brain, and blood system. Infections can trigger disease activity, and severe infections can even lead to death. Preventing infections starts with preventing colds and flu Although people with lupus are prone to infections, most of these infections are preventable and treatable. Ordinary people get colds, let alone people with lupus. Lupus patients need to know two things: first, that they are more prone to catching colds than the average person; and second, that colds may be a little slower to recover than the average person, and may even be more likely to aggravate into more serious conditions such as pneumonia. Therefore, to guard against it, we need to prevent colds in our daily lives: 1, control of the disease is fundamental: the disease itself is the main cause of infection, so you need to be treated under the guidance of the doctor, to get the disease under control, do not stop taking medication without authorization. After the disease is stabilized, the body’s ability to resist foreign pathogens will also be enhanced, and the infection will be reduced. 2, avoid fatigue, ensure quality sleep: fatigue may aggravate the disease, but also let the body resistance is reduced, easy to be infected by pathogens. Adequate quality sleep can eliminate fatigue, make people new vigor, but also can enhance the human immunity, enhance the ability of people to resist pathogens. 3, vaccination: some studies have found that lupus patients can effectively reduce the occurrence of influenza by receiving influenza vaccination, and the influenza vaccine has a good protective effect on lupus patients. Currently, it is believed that it is safe for lupus patients to receive influenza vaccination, but it is recommended to complete the vaccination under the guidance of rheumatology specialists. 4, less go to densely populated places: the pathogens of influenza are mainly transmitted through the respiratory tract, often in and out of densely populated places, it is easy to get a cold, try to go as little as possible. If necessary, it is recommended to wear a mask. 5. Wash your hands often: pathogens can also spread through contact, so you need to develop the good habit of washing your hands often. Ventilate more indoors: Closed places are easy to retain and harbor pathogens, forming a source of indoor infection, so you need to open windows and ventilate more. 7.Scientific exercise: Lupus patients can do some sports, exercise, improve immunity. However, because they are prone to light allergy, they can do indoor sports, and outdoor sports need to prevent ultraviolet rays and avoid direct sunlight. Drinking water and balanced nutrition: Drinking water can keep the vitality of life, so you can drink more appropriately. However, if lupus nephritis, water and sodium retention, you need to control the amount of water. Lupus patients should focus on balanced nutrition to ensure adequate nutrition, which is also a measure to improve immunity. At the same time, some dietary precautions also need to be paid attention to. The above are some of the ways I listed to prevent colds, and it is worthwhile for patients to do a good job in their lives bit by bit. The common cold can be characterized by cough, sputum, headache, fatigue, or fever, but it can also be characterized by lupus activity. Patients can look for worsening mouth ulcers, significant hair loss, joint pain, facial erythema, or lower extremity edema, etc. If there are many discomforts in addition to the cold, it is important to be alert to the possibility of a lupus flare-up. If you can not recognize, it is best to find a rheumatologist to see, so as not to delay the disease. Especially for patients who have not been treated regularly, they should be alert to the possibility of exacerbation of their condition.