Vasculitis

Vasculitis is when your body's natural response to injury, which is inflammation, happens in healthy blood vessels

Enquiries & Appointments

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About

Vasculitis refers to inflammation of your blood vessels. It occurs when your immune system attacks healthy blood vessels, causing them to swell. It is sometimes triggered by an infection or medication. It can be primary, where it occurs on its own, or secondary, where it occurs alongside another condition.

Need to know

Since there are many types of vasculitis, symptoms can vary, but may include:

  • feeling unwell with fever
  • sweating
  • tiredness
  • unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms depend on which part of your body is affected.

Your consultant will speak to you about your symptoms and may perform a physical examination of the affected part of your body. They may request some, or all, of the following tests to confirm diagnosis:

  • blood tests
  • X-ray, MRI or CT scans
  • a biopsy, which involves obtaining a tissue sample for analysis in a laboratory

Treatment options may include:

  • steroid tablets
  • immunoglobulin injections
  • immunosuppressive drugs
  • new biologics treatment
  • plasma exchange, a procedure involving the separation and removal of plasma from your blood in order to remove the disease

Our Vasculitis locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Lupus and Rheumatology Centre

London Lupus and Rheumatology Centre

1st Floor, St. Olaf House SE1 2PR London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.