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Infections And Lupus

shingles on the back of a white person

Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

November 27, 2021

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of death and vaccines are instrumental in preventing infections. Most people realize how incredibly painful shingles is. However, many don’t realize just how …

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Lupus patient in ICU hospital with COVID-19

COVID-19 deaths in rheumatic diseases

March 13, 2021

Research Shows More COVID-19 Deaths in Rheumatic Diseases: 10.5% of lupus and rheumatic disease patients died

Much higher rate than infected people without rheumatic disease

People with lupus and rheumatic diseases are at risk…
​What is the bottom line? What …

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Dr. Don Thomas, MD

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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New Pneumonia, Shingles, RSV, and Hepatitis Vaccine Recommendations [2024]

Centers for Disease Control 2024 Vaccine Recommendations In 2024 came out with its new vaccine recommendations. In this
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Botox Injections and Lupus

If you have lupus and are considering Botox injections for cosmetic or medical purposes, it’s important to understand
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Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Helpful for Lupus [Suggests NIH study]

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This
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Lupus and the Respiratory System

The respiratory system, also known as the pulmonary system, plays a crucial role in exchanging gases essential for
Low vitamin D levels can make lupus worse

Lupus and Vitamin D Advice: Can be lowest in women of color

Lupus and vitamin D in Women of Color. Why and what to do- “Ask Dr. T!” question of
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Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

Lupus by Lupus Warrior and Lupus Fighter Shanelle Gabrielle “​I still have a purpose … A reason to
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Lupus in Women: From Puberty to Menopause

Lupus in women occurs much more often than in men. There are many reasons this occurs. Also, lupus
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Childhood Trauma, PTSD, Racism, Stress, and Lupus

Multiple studies show that stress and trauma increase the risk of developing lupus as well as causing lupus
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Lupus Mottled Skin and the Symptoms (Updated August 2024)

Among the skin manifestations commonly associated with lupus is “mottled skin.” Livedo reticularis is the primary example. This
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Rheumatologists: What if hydroxychloroquine eye tests show retinopathy [FEB 2023 Update]

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Heed my practical
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Treatment of Lupus: Best Practices and Guidelines

The treatment of lupus has improved significantly over the past decade. Most patients can expect to go into
Dr. Donald Thomas gets the COVID-19 vaccine

How the Covid-19 Vaccine Works: amazing!

It is amazing how the COVID-19 vaccine works (the mRNA vaccines, especially) It intrigues me how the COVID-19
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Chromatin antibody: Make sure you know your labs

Know your labs when you have lupus Chromatin is our DNA packaged up nice and neat with other
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6 Supplements For Lupus That Worsen Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study
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Top Dermatologist Tips For Itchy, Dry Skin in Lupus and Sjögren’s [October 2024 Update]

Quick Advice Guaranteed to Help Most with Dry Itchy Skin: Stop using Dove and other soaps that say
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3 Proven Ways to Stop Lupus Chronic Kidney Disease Progression

Reducing the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lupus and other autoimmune diseases is possible. I have
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Now Research Shows: Lupus tendinitis, common cause of lupus pain

Jaccoud’s arthropathy due to lupus tendinitis (lupus tendonitis) and lupus tenosynovitis What is lupus tendinitis (also spelled lupus
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Arthritis – “it’s a Pain in the App” [Coping with lupus]

Guest post: One method of coping with the struggles of lupus Living and coping with the challenges of
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Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: 2025 Sunspots & Milder Lupus?

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: Could sunspots in 2025 lead to milder lupus? 2014 photo by NASA showing
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Lupus Can Cause Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Dry Mouth and Cavities (October 2024 Update)

Can lupus cause tooth decay? Learn here to lower your risk of losing teeth from dry mouth! ​
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Benlysta During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective [UPDATE July 2024]

July 2024 Update on Benlysta in Pregnancy A review in the British Medical Journal discussed the recent studies
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Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with
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Anticardiolipin Antibodies and Lupus

The immune system of many lupus patients produce anticardiolipin antibodies. These antibodies, known for their connection to various
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Lupus and Cancer Risk: Learn to Prevent Cancer! [August 2024]

People who have lupus have an increased risk for getting some cancers. Knowing what they are and how
Survey about being diagnosed with lupus and The Lupus Foundation of America

Participate in this lupus survey if you live in the USA [Survey is closed]

The Lupus Foundation of America wants to learn more about the difficulties in being diagnosed with lupus Click
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Lupus Fog Treatment? Vitamin Improves Memory in Research

Finding an effective lupus fog treatment remains elusive. Yet, a 2023 study called the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin
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Top Tips on Taking Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus [Ultimate Guide APR 2024]

LATEST UPDATES: A study by Dr. Shivani Garg suggests that aiming for a hydroxychloroquine level of 750 to
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What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is
Graphs showing Lupkynis voclosporin efficacy in lupus nephritis Lancet article

Voclosporin for Lupus Nephritis: Great results in The Lancet

Note the impressively higher response rates in the blue bars (Lupkynis + mycophenolate + steroids) compared to pink
White woman with shoulder pain fibromyalgia autoimmune disease blog post

Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease? Research suggests “YES!”

Research Article: Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice Goebel A, Krock E, Gentry C, Israel
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Melatonin For Lupus May be Good Per the Best Medical Evidence [NEW!]

Melatonin For Lupus: What does the Research Show?         (Updated August 2021) Why do people
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What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [UPDATED June 2024]

Lupus patients should provide a urine sample regularly to see if there is possible inflammation of the kidneys
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CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (October 2024 UPDATE)

The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,
Donald Thomas, MD reading a book while writing The Lupus Encyclopedia and The Lupus Secrets

The Lupus Secrets [Practical Tips for Living with Lupus]

Do you have lupus, then you absolutely want to learn about follow The Lupus Secrets so that you
Discoid lupus on the chest of a white woman Saphelo for lupus

Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [January 2025)]

Saphnelo for Lupus: It improved lupus in all domains tested. Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) has the lupus community excited a
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COVID Vaccines, Evusheld & Stopping Drugs for Shots [FEB 2023 Update]

  Stopping Methotrexate for 1 Week as Effective as 2 Weeks after Flu shots [FEB 2023 Update) This
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Dr. Donald Thomas gets his extra COVID vaccines: It was easy!

UPDATED September 2021: I cannot wait to get my extra COVID vaccines … specifically my 3rd booster shot!
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Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic

Patients ask about Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic: Sea moss was never on my radar until the
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Lupus Eyes

Lupus, as well as its treatments, can potentially affect the eyes.  Understanding the impact of lupus on eye
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Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, predominantly impacts women. Around 90% of lupus patients are women, while 10% are
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Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia – Q & A Video

Dr. Donald Thomas Answers Lupus Patients’ Questions on His Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia Watch this
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Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis Joint protection is essential in dealing with pain. When you rest a
shingles on the back of a white person

Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of
Lupus headaches

Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. One of
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Lupus Stomach Medications: Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms and problems are common in lupus patients and can significantly impact their quality of life. In
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Allergies and Itching after COVID vaccine? Announcing Research Here

Results from 64,900 vaccines: How often are allergies and itching after COVID vaccine? We’ll take a look at
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What is a Lupus Flare: Prevent and Treat

Most people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will experience a lupus flare. Many have multiple flares. In this
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Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine to Prevent Lupus and Other Diseases?

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the
The Lupus Encyclopedia book cover 2nd edition

Three Potential Book Covers for The Lupus Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

THE VOTE IS IN! See the new book cover below 315 people voted for the new book cover
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Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view

The video provided below offers valuable insights into practical information regarding weight management and exercise for individuals with