“Lupus & Coronavirus – A Dangerous Combination”
Hi everyone,
We’re all living through a global coronavirus pandemic, and I’m sure you’ve heard by now that people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk. But what does that really mean for someone with an autoimmune condition like lupus?
👉 [If you’re new here and don’t know what lupus is, please hit the subscribe button and check out my other videos where I explain lupus in simple terms.]
I have lupus. This means my immune system—which is supposed to protect me from viruses and infections—is actually confused and attacks my own healthy tissues and organs. My body produces a lot of overactive white blood cells. So, to prevent further damage, I have to take immunosuppressant medications that calm down my immune system.
I’m currently taking Azathioprine (Imuran) and Prednisone, along with an antimalarial medication called Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)—a common treatment for lupus.
💭 Now here’s the dilemma:
We all know what happens when our immune system is suppressed. So as a lupus patient, what should I do during a pandemic like this?
Do I boost my immune system to fight the virus and risk triggering life-threatening lupus flares?
Or do I continue suppressing my immune system to keep lupus under control—and risk catching everyday infections like COVID-19?
Either way, it feels like I can’t win.
To fight off coronavirus, I need a strong immune system. But for lupus, my immune system is deliberately “drugged” to be lethargic. This is why people like me—those with autoimmune conditions—are at a higher risk of catching COVID-19 and suffering from more severe complications.
🔬 Let me walk you through a hypothetical situation.
If I catch COVID-19, my body will naturally try to produce more white blood cells to fight off the virus. If the virus attacks my lungs, some of those white blood cells would fight the infection—but others might turn against me, unable to differentiate between virus cells and my own healthy tissues.
For a healthy person, the virus might just affect their lungs and they’ll likely recover. But for me, my own immune system could attack my lungs, on top of the coronavirus. This could cause severe lung damage.
And it doesn’t stop there.
This infection could worsen other lupus-related conditions like kidney disease, heart issues, skin rashes—or even trigger new problems like liver inflammation or brain fog. My entire body could go into overdrive. So the chance of full recovery? Honestly, it’s slim.
💊 What about treatment?
How would doctors balance medications for COVID-19 and lupus at the same time? Would it be trial and error? Would they treat the coronavirus first and deal with the lupus aftermath later?
📣 If there are any doctors watching this, please share your thoughts in the comments—it would help ease a lot of our anxiety.
You may have heard that Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) could prevent or treat COVID-19. But according to the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry, this is not true. Research is ongoing, and no conclusions have been reached.
🙏 So please don’t stockpile Hydroxychloroquine. You might be putting lupus patients at serious risk by creating shortages of this essential medication.
💡 What You Should Know:
The symptoms of lupus and coronavirus can overlap. So, if you have lupus, be especially vigilant if you start experiencing:
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- fever
- dry cough
- shortness of breath
- loss of smell or taste
- chest pain
✅ How We Can Protect Ourselves:
- Stay in your bubble and limit physical contact with those outside it.
- Learn to say “no.” It’s okay to decline gatherings—even with family—if it means protecting your health.
- If you’re working, talk to your employer about safe options like remote work or avoiding public transport during peak hours.
- Ask for help. It’s okay to have someone else pick up your groceries or medications.
- Focus on your mental health. Avoid stress—emotional and physical.
- Be proactive in managing other lupus triggers. You don’t want to end up in a crowded hospital waiting room.
- If you must go out: wear a mask, use sanitizer, keep your distance, and avoid touching your face.
- Stay socially connected through video calls or phone chats.
- Eat healthy, stay informed, and try to get some gentle exercise if you can.
💬 And please comment below with any other safety tips you’re following—let’s help each other stay informed.
If you have lupus and do catch COVID-19, please don’t stop your medications unless your doctor tells you to. Get in touch with your healthcare provider immediately.
I hope this video gave you a clear picture of how risky COVID-19 can be for someone with lupus. But really, this applies to anyone with an underlying health condition. Let’s all take responsibility—not just to protect ourselves, but to protect the vulnerable around us.
🙏 Be mindful and sensitive. You may be healthy, but many of us are not.
For people like me, our immune system is our worst enemy.
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Until my next video—let’s all do our part to stay safe and help each other through this.