About Autoimmune Disease

Your immune system protects you by defending the body from disease and infection. When your immune system detects a threat (such as a toxin, bacteria, or virus), it mounts an immune response and produces antibodies and white blood cells to fight the invader.

When you have an autoimmune disease, however, your immune system activates in an inappropriate or abnormal manner. Unable to distinguish between self and non-self proteins, a dysfunctional immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for harmful invaders. It produces cells and antibodies that target, attack, and damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This results in a wide spectrum of possible symptoms and severity.