A person with lupus has inflammation of the tissues throughout the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys or other organs.

Lupus is caused by a malfunctioning immune system, which normally fights infection. For some reason, the immune system attacks normal tissue, causing inflammation. The small blood vessels are the most commonly involved, resulting in a condition called a vasculitis.

Drug induced lupus is caused by a medication. More than 16,000 people in the US develop lupus each year. About 10 percent of cases of lupus are caused by medication.