When a cold becomes the plague!

[kazmac45]

As I said in my introductory post a few days ago, I'm not yet diagnosed but am expecting to be. However the last few years of raging viruses also adds weight to my 'argument' that there's definitely something wrong somewhere.

Last weekend I seemed to get a common cold. By today, as always, this has me laid up feeling dreadful and like it's the worst virus I've ever had, with no end in sight. My body's acting like I have the 'flu and my rash is itching like crazy, plus my head is pounding. I've been off work all week too - again!! 😢

Is this the same for others? Or is it just me?

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi kazmac45 ,

Viruses and infections to often act as triggers for lupus flares, so it is common for them to exacerbate symptoms and take longer to recover from. Many people with lupus only tend to be more prone to infections after they have started immunosuppressive treatments, but there are some who have low neutrophil counts as a result of their lupus and are therefore also my susceptible.

[kazmac45 in reply to Paul_Howard]

I kinda wondered that - viruses have always hit me hard. I'm a nurse of some 31 years but have never had many dealings with Lupus until my first questionable symptoms 21 months ago. So given it seems to have reappeared in recent months, I'm now more convinced that the two are linked. I know that last time, my immune system just went into meltdown.