Lady Gaga discusses lupus concerns on Larry King show

Ever since The Times of London broke the news on May 21 that one of Lady Gaga's aunts had died of the genetically transmitted disease lupus, the colorful singer's fans have been concerned for her. On CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday night, the New York City-raised Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, interviewed via satellite from her Monster Ball tour in the United Kingdom, spoke for the first time about it to the American media.

"Lupus is in my family and it is genetic," she said in reply to King's question about the press reports. "It's funny, because my mother told me the other day that my fans were quite worried about me because I did talk about the fact that I was tested for lupus. And the truth is I don't show any signs, any symptoms of lupus.

"But," she confirmed, "I have tested borderline positive for the disease. So, as of right now I do not have it, but I have to take good care of myself."

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue.

There is no cure and it can be fatal, though with treatment of its symptoms, it has up to a 95 percent survival rate.