Stevens Johnson Syndrome Diseases and Conditions

Stevens Johnson Syndrome: A Deadly Disease

First documented in 1992, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a serious skin disease that causes blisters, lesions, rashes and hives on any part of the body's surface area.

SJS is extremely painful and its symptoms will be more highly concentrated in the body's mucous membranes, particularly the eyes, nose and mouth. If left untreated, Stevens Johnson Syndrome may spread all over the body and can be fatal. When symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome cover more than 30 percent of a patient's skin, the condition may be referred to as, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS).

Causes of the Deadly Disease

Unfortunately, more than half of all SJS cases will have unidentifiable causes. However, some cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome have been linked to one of the following:

certain types of cancer
radiation therapy treatments
side effects of certain medications
ultraviolet light treatments
use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine
viral infections, such as herpes, HIV, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis and influenza

Drug Reactions

Medications reported to cause the adverse drug reactions linked to the development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include:

gout-fighting drugs (allopurinol)
anti-seizure medications (Dilantin)
non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDS (advil, naproxen, aspirin, Motrin)
medications prescribed to treat bacterial injections (sulfonamides, penicillin)

Diagnosis & Treatments

Regardless of the cause of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, it's crucial that patients see their doctor, as soon as they notice the above-listed symptoms, for a proper diagnosis. To determine whether a patient is suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome, physicians will look over a patients medical/drug history and then perform a comprehensive physical exam. Should a patient display the visible epidermal symptoms, doctors will then take a tissue sample and perform a biopsy.

Following an SJS diagnosis, emergency medical treatments will ensue, usually in an intensive care unit or a burn center. While it takes weeks of hospitalization and treatments before milder cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are cured, it can take months for moderate to severe SJS to be eliminated. Treatments may include:

administration of an IV to replace fluids and deliver corticosteroids or immunoglobin
pain medications, antihistamines and/or antibiotics
skin grafting
topical steroid creams to reduce skin inflammation
use of cool, wet compresses on the skin to soothe blisters and lesions

Once a patient's health is no longer in danger, (s)he should consult with an experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawyer to find out if (s)he has a legal claim and is entitled to a settlement for the injuries and losses. When a case of SJS can be linked to a medication, drug companies can be legally liable to provide the victims financial relief.

Disease Breaking News

"Former NBA player Manute Bol dies after fighting Stevens-Johnson Syndrome"

Manute Bol, a former NBA player and humanitarian, recently passed away from kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Bol, who was 47-years-old, was renowned for his 7"7' frame and tireless efforts to improve his native Sudan for his fe...

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"Stop smoking drug linked to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome"

Health officials and a drug company in Canada are issuing stronger warnings about an anti-smoking drug, which cautions that the drug could cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Health Canada and Pfizer Canada increased the warnings for the smoking ce...

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"Family of jailed woman with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome criticize prison staff"

The family of a jailed woman who is suffering from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is criticizing the prison staff for allowing her condition to go untreated.

Charity-Lekiea Brown was recently sent to prison for not paying child support and a prison d...

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