Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a very serious, rare skin condition that most people have never heard of. In most cases, SJS is a severe reaction to a medication you had been taking. For many people, the disease starts out with flu-like symptoms, which is one of the reasons why it is so often misdiagnosed. As it progresses, patients will notice a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and even blisters. At this point, the top layer of the affected skin will die, shed, and then eventually heal, if you’re lucky. In some extreme cases, SJS will progress into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is far more deadly.

SJS is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and, usually, hospitalization. Some people will need to be admitted to a burn unit in order to receive the necessary care, as the disease essentially burns the skin from the inside out. Thankfully, SJS is treatable. Treatment will likely focus on eliminating the exact cause of the disease while controlling the symptoms and stopping any complications from presenting. If SJS was caused by an adverse reaction to a medication, the patient will be told to stop taking the medication immediately. Unfortunately, many popular over-the-counter medications have been linked to SJS, including:

• Pain relievers, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium
• Medications used to treat seizures (anticonvulsants) and mental illness (antipsychotics)
• Anti-gout medications
• Penicillin, amoxicillin, and other drugs used to fight infection

While SJS is usually caused by a medication that falls into one of the above categories, there are certain infections that have also been linked to the skin condition, including:

• Pneumonia
• HIV
  Herpes
• Hepatitis A

There are numerous risk factors that may increase your chance of developing SJS. These risk factors include:

• An HIV infection
• Compromised or weakened immune system
• A prior history of SJS
• A family history of SJS
• The HLA-B*1502 gene

If you have any of the above, it’s important you understand the potential risks that SJS carry. It is recommended that you consider genetic testing before taking any of the drugs linked to SJS and avoid the medication that triggered the condition if you’ve had it in the past.

Treating SJS will start with a stay in the hospital where medical professionals will be able to evaluate your condition. If left untreated, SJS can turn into TEN and be life-threatening. The first step to recovery is to stop taking any medications that have been previously linked to SJS. However, this can be difficult to determine. This is why it is imperative you contact your doctor and get checked out immediately. If your doctor or another healthcare professional misdiagnosed you and you developed SJS, please contact the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers at Wormington & Bollinger today. We understand how stressful an SJS diagnosis can be and will do everything we can to fight for you. If you have been admitted to ICU or the hospital because of SJS, there’s a good chance you are facing mounting bills, and we can help. To learn more about filing a Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawsuit, please give us a call today.