Chest Pain

Also a result of pleurisy, patients with lupus may experience chest pains that come on quickly and without cause. The disease may cause inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart.

Hair Loss

Thinning hair is often one of the earliest signs of lupus and is brought on by inflammation of the skin and scalp. While some patients may experience rapid hair loss, where hair falls out in clumps, most patients experience a slow thinning of the hair, as well as thinning of beards, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair. Lupus also can affect the appearance of hair, causing it to appear ragged, feel brittle and break easily -- earning it the nickname “lupus hair.”

Fatigue and Fever

As many as 90 percent of people living with lupus experience some level of chronic fatigue. For some, taking an afternoon nap is enough to recharge the body and help refresh them, while others find themselves sleeping often during the day and developing insomnia overnight. If fatigue affects your life, talk to your doctor because some causes of fatigue can be easily and successfully treated.

For many lupus patients, a low-grade fever (under 101.5) without any apparent cause is an early indicator. The low-grade fever may come on in a cyclical pattern and can be a sign of inflammation, infection or an imminent flare-up.

Joint Pain, Stiffness and Swelling

Lupus can cause inflammation, pain, stiffness and visible swelling of the joints, which can be particularly noticeable in the morning. For some patients, this swelling may come on gradually, becoming more obvious and painful over time, and as with other symptoms, the joint pain and stiffness can come and go with flare-ups.