The attorneys at McKinney Law Firm are experts in defending our clients against medical negligence. McKinney attorneys are currently helping numerous victims who were diagnosed with Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) due to medical negligence. We have spent a lot of time researching and learning more about SJS, and today we would like to help educate our readers about what happens afterwards.

SJS is a rare but serious disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals, and eyes. The mucous membrane is the soft layer of tissue that lines the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, as well as the genital tract (reproductive organs) and eyeballs. Usually, SJS is caused by an unpredictable adverse reaction to certain medications. It can also sometimes be caused by an infection.

Luckily for those affected, once the diagnoses have been made and the underlying cause has been eradicated, SJS is not contagious. The only reason why most patients will have to spend time in isolation is because of the pain they are and their increased susceptibility to infections.  We believe it is important to understand that SJS is extremely rare, and the risk of getting the syndrome is 1 in 1,00 to 100,000 people taking the offending agent or affected by an infection.

After the diagnosis of SJS, the only way to stop the syndrome from progressing is to successfully treat (in the case of an infection), or terminate (in the case of medication). Within a few you’re your new skin may start to grow after a few days. Nonetheless, it is also important to recognize that the length of time it takes to recover from SJS is proportionate to how severe it is.

Unfortunately, if the cause of SJS was due to a medication, you’ll need to avoid that medication and possibly other similar medications for the rest of your life. It is important to fully educate oneself on all drugs that have SJS as a side effect. This is an imperative conversation you or your loved ones should have with a physician.

Since SJS directly affects the skin and mucous membranes, it can cause a number of complications, including:

• skin changes
  • when your skin grows back it may be uneven in color
  • scarringmay occur
• secondary skin infection
  • cellulitis
    • can lead to further, serious problems such as blood poisoning
  • sepsis
• problems with internal organs
  • organs can become inflamed
    • the lungs (pneumonia),
    • heart (myocarditis),
    • kidneys (nephritis)
    • liver (hepatitis)
    • esophagus may also become narrowed and scarred (esophageal stricture)
  • eye problems
    • irritation
    • dry eyes
    • corneal ulceration,
    • uveitis(inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye)
    • blindness
  • sexual dysfunction
    • vaginal stenosis (narrowing of the vagina caused by a build-up of scar tissue)
    • scarring of the penis

To avoid further complications of SJS, it is advised to seek medical consultations specific to the affected organs. This is usually done when you are in inpatient in the ICU. The most advisable physician in the setting of SJS is a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to accurately diagnose and advise about SJS with or without biopsy.  For some patients, the involvement of a surgeon, even plastic surgeon, and burn specialist may also be appropriate.

Depending on organ system involvement, consultations will be advised by the primary care or attending physician assigned to you in the hospital. Patients with SJS require regular monitoring of their medications and status. Those patients with erythema multiforme major (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) must be hospitalized for the course of their treatment to reduce further complications. All patients with erythema multiforme major should be followed closely.

If you or a loved one have been affected by SJS due to medical negligence, contact us at McKinney Law Firm today. Our expert attorneys can help you find restitution.