Lupus/autoimmune/RA patients are treated with potentially dangerous drugs. NSAIDs for pain relief put their kidneys at risk. Steroids reduce immune function, make the patient vulnerable to new acute infections, and trigger eruption of opportunistic infections. TNF-inhibitors—Embrel/Remicade/Humera/Cellcept also weaken the immune defense; and all have black box warnings for cancer and serious opportunistic infection! The black box warnings are numerous, and encompass the chronic diseases for which lupus patients are at increased risk.

Antibiotics targeted at immortal pathogens (azithromax, doxycycline, minocycline); anti-parasitic drugs (mebendazole, albendazole, metronidazole); and anti-malarial drugs (doxycycline, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine), have been shown beneficial in lupus, autoimmune disease, and RA.  Anti-malarial drugs also have an anti-fungal effect, which is a common problem in lupus.

The course of lupus/autoimmune disease/RA is impacted by the duration, number and types of chronic infections, in the patient; and the drugs used to treat the patient.  Treating symptoms cannot cure the disease. Thorough diagnosis of pathogens and parasites should be undertaken, BEFORE any treatment with steroids or immune suppression drugs. Immunosuppression drugs can make autoimmune disease worse, and cause secondary chronic disease. The underlying problem is infection and an impaired immune system.