• There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases.
• 50 million Americans have one or more autoimmune diseases.
• Approximately 75 percent of those affected are women.
• Autoimmune diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of death among American women.
• Autoimmune diseases tend to cluster in families, impacting multiple family members and generations.
• Autoimmunity is NOT related to AIDS and is NOT a form of cancer.
• Autoimmune diseases are NOT contagious nor infectious. They are usually chronic and can cause major organ damage and, in some cases, be life-threatening.

Autoimmune disease is a broad category of related diseases in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues and organs it was designed to protect. Normally, the body’s immune system protects it by responding to invading microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system produces antibodies, which are special proteins that recognize and destroy the invaders. Autoimmune diseases occur when these antibodies attack the body’s own cells, tissues and organs.

Scientists do not yet fully understand the immune system and what causes the body to produce an immune response to itself. However, we do know that there are several triggers which play a role in developing an autoimmune disease. Bacteria, viruses, toxins, hormones, significant stress, and some drugs may trigger an autoimmune response in a person who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmunity can affect the body in various ways. It can result in the slow destruction of specific types of cells, tissues, organs or joints or the stimulation of an organ into excessive growth or interference with its function. Organs and tissues frequently affected include the endocrine glands (such as the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands); components of the blood (such as red blood cells); and the connective tissues, skin, muscles and joints.

Autoimmune diseases are frequently classified into organ-specific diseases and non-organ-specific types. In organ-specific diseases, autoimmune activity is directed against a single organ. Examples include: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (thyroid gland), pernicious anemia (stomach), Addison’s disease (adrenal glands), and type 1 diabetes (pancreas). In non-organ-specific diseases, autoimmune activity is spread widely throughout the body. Examples include: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and dermatomyositis.

The Autoimmune Association (AA) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through initiating, fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research and patient services in an effective, ethical and efficient manner. AA is the only national nonprofit organization bringing a national focus to autoimmunity as a category of disease and a major women’s health issue. Established in 1991, AA has become a leading authority on autoimmune disease and a leading advocate for autoimmune patients.

*All of the information in this FAQ was taken directly from the AA website, here.