Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare skin condition that has been in the news far more frequently in recent years. While many people have never heard of SJS, those that have experienced it firsthand understand just what a life-changing condition it is. Both SJS and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are severe adverse reactions to a wide range of medications, including popular over-the-counter drugs that people take on a daily basis. Unfortunately, SJS and TEN carry high mortality rates, which is just one reason why they have such a significant impact on our public health system. SJS is often misdiagnosed or missed altogether, which can be deadly for the patient. Although our medical community is learning more about the signs, symptoms, and implications of SJS, it is still a relatively mysterious condition to the general public.

As we discussed last month, doctors have recently discovered that TEN is actually an extension of SJS, not a completely different condition. This is a very important discovery that will give doctors more information to adequately treat both. As a refresher, TEN is considered a more severe form of SJS and is much more difficult to treat. Today we are going to look at what we know about SJS, including how it is diagnosed, as well as touch on why most people haven’t heard of SJS. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with SJS as the result of a medication you were prescribed, please contact the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger today so we can get started on your case.

Diagnosing SJS

 If a patient displays any of the signs or symptoms of SJS (painful blistering of the skin, flu-like symptoms, severe conjunctivitis, red/purple rash, high fever, peeling of skin) his or her doctor should immediately try to determine if the patient has developed SJS. In order to diagnose SJS, the following is performed:

• A physical exam (the patient’s medical history will also be looked at during the exam)
• Skin biopsy – If your doctor suspects you may have SJS after his or her examination, he will likely take a sample of skin (biopsy) in order to rule out any other possible causes
• Skin or oral culture – At this point your doctor will take a skin or oral culture to confirm or rule out some other type of infection
• X-rays – Your doctor may also have you undergo a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia and rule out any other conditions
• Blood tests – Lastly, your doctor may use blood tests to confirm infection or rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms

Once your doctor has diagnosed you with SJS based on the above, he will likely discuss your treatment options with you. Depending on the severity of the case, treatment for SJS will vary. However, all patients will require hospitalization and some will need to be in an intensive care unit or burn center. Regardless of how far the disease has progressed, your doctor will instruct you to stop taking any medications that may be causing your symptoms to worsen. Supportive care is an important element of SJS treatment and something most hospitals will provide you with. To learn more about what you can expect with an SJS diagnosis or if you are considering pursuing a lawsuit, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today.