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Health Department Recognizes Lupus Awareness Month

Department of Health Staff Support Lupus Awareness Month

May is Lupus Awareness Month! Join us and Go Purple throughout May to show awareness of this disease.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs). "Chronic" means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.

In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune systems produce proteins called "antibodies" which protect the body from these invaders.

"Autoimmunity" means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self"). As a result, it creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue.

These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Visit Lupus.org for more information.

Upcoming Events

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Community Survey Available for Hernando County Residents

April 19-May 25, 2019
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May Meeting of Florida Healthy Babies

Spring Hill office of Department of Health

May 21, 2019
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3rd Annual Back to School Bash!! 2019

Nature Coast High School

July 26, 2019
More Events...