Lupus is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own organs and tissues as if they were foreign invaders. This causes lots of inflammation that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus is also a genetic disorder so if you have lupus in your genes it could be triggered by environmental causes such as stress, certain medications, and viruses. Lupus also is not without its telltale symptoms. Here are five of the most common symptoms linked to lupus:

1. Pain or swelling of joints

Pain and swelling in the joints is one of the main symptoms of lupus. This swelling is especially prominent in the smaller joints of the hands and feet and moves from joint to joint. Sometimes you may experience pain and stiffness without swelling at all. The swelling associated with lupus has to do with the inflammation that lupus causes. Many people take over the counter pain medications to deal with any pain caused by lupus.

2. Butterfly-shaped rash

One of the most commonly known lupus symptoms is a butterfly shaped rash that develops across the nose and cheeks, and which often shows up following exposure to the sun. According to research this rash shows up when cells related to the immune system react to UV sun exposure by releasing inflammatory chemicals. One way to treat this kind of rash is with topical steroids.

3. Fever and fatigue

One of the first symptoms of lupus people tend to get is a low grade fever that comes and goes. Because the fever isn’t very high, many people ignore it or don’t go to a doctor. Along with a fever many lupus patients feel fatigued. This is when they feel both physically and mentally drained for no apparent reason. Both the low grade fever and fatigue can be explained by the inflammation incurred when a patient is suffering from lupus.

4. Chest pain when deep breathing

Another common symptom of lupus is chest pain when deep breathing. This chest pain is often caused by pleuritis, which is inflammation of the tissue that covers the lungs. The inflamed tissue rubs against itself when you breathe deeply causing chest pain. This type of pain is usually helped with anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by a doctor.

5. Swelling around the eyes

Another less common symptom of lupus is swelling around the eyes. This is caused by inflammation around the eyelids and can also cause eyes to feel dry and irritated. This symptom is often treated with oral or topical steroids, medicated eye drops, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.