Lupus x 5 yrs.are flares very rare? everytime i have classic flare sx but no rash, my rheumatologist says likely just virus even before he checks labs

See doc when "flare": you should ask detailed questions about the "flares " that you have. Generally, flares do occur with sle but ought to be infrequent if the disease is controlled on various meds. One also does not necessarily need to always have a rash during a flare, esp if the problem is confined to an internal system such as the lung , kidney, etc.