Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a skin condition that many people are unfamiliar with. But, unfortunately, it is more common than previously thought. Characterized by widespread skin pain, lesions, and an eventual feeling of “burning from the inside out,” SJS can have a lasting effect on its victims and their loved ones.

Although there are still a lot of questions surrounding SJS, we know it usually occurs because of a serious allergic reaction to a certain medication. In other cases, an infection causes SJS, like herpes or pneumonia. Regardless of what led to the onset of the condition, you must seek SJS treatment right away. SJS has a much higher recovery rate when treated early. Individuals who ignore their symptoms or who receive misdiagnosis from a medical professional may be at higher risk and have a more difficult time recovering. As SJS progresses, the symptoms become increasingly painful and dangerous. Understanding the timeline of the condition will help ensure you receive a timely diagnosis and, in turn, treatment.

One of the biggest questions people have is what SJS treatment is like. The purpose of today’s article is to take a closer look at what treatment for SJS is like. As we’ve discussed in the past, doctors often misdiagnose or miss SJS altogether. When this happens, patients may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all cases lead to malpractice. Due to the complex nature of these cases, you must have an experienced McKinney Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyer by your side. We have helped countless SJS patients understand their rights and, in some cases, pursue legal action against doctors who failed to diagnose symptoms.

What You Should Know About SJS

Many individuals diagnosed with SJS experience flu-like symptoms to start, making it difficult to realize something else may be the cause. It is at this point that a wrong diagnosis can be made and an antibiotic prescribed. Sadly, this makes matters worse, as some antibiotics can cause SJS themselves. After the flu-like symptoms, patients typically develop ulcers or lesions on the mucous membranes around the mouth and genital or anal areas. A common symptom for children is conjunctivitis around the eyes. As the disease progresses, many patients will develop a skin rash accompanied by blisters that are red or purple in color. If left untreated, SJS may turn into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

What is TEN?

Previously thought to be different conditions, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a more serious version of SJS. Also known as Lyell’s Syndrome, TEN has a higher mortality rate than SJS. Here are a few facts about TEN to help you understand just how serious this condition is:

• TEN is more serious than SJS – Patients with TEN experience skin detachment of 30 percent or more, unlike SJS patients who usually have less than 10 percent skin detachment.
• TEN is typically caused by a severe reaction to a prescription drug or medication
• Treatment for TEN is absolutely critical and must be administered around the clock

What causes SJS?

We briefly mentioned above that certain medications and infections are usually the root cause of SJS. The following medications are most commonly linked to SJS and TEN:

• Penicillins and sulfonamides that treat infections
• Anti-gout medications
• Anticonvulsants
• Lamictal
• Sedatives
• Antiepileptic drugs
• Antiretroviral drugs
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

For a more comprehensive look at the drugs associated with SJS, please take a look at this article.

Here’s a look at some of the common infections that may lead to SJS:

• HIV
• Herpes
• Hepatitis
• Influenza
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria

SJS Risk Factors

Unfortunately, we still do not fully understand the why behind SJS. However, there do appear to be several existing conditions that may increase a person’s chances of developing SJS. Some risk factors include:

• Compromised immune system or immune disorder
• Presence of disease that negatively impacts the effectiveness of a person’s immune system (such as HIV or Lupus)
• The HLA-B*1502 gene
• Viral infections
• A previous history of SJS
• A family history of SJS

Diagnosing SJS

As we know, SJS is a serious skin condition characterized by blistering skin, lesions, and a red-purplish rash. To stop it in its tracks, it is imperative you seek treatment for your symptoms right away. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is important you get tested for SJS. Diagnosing SJS can be challenging. The following guidelines help explain how SJS diagnosis:

• Physical examination that evaluates skin and mucous membranes
• Assessing how much pain the patient is experiencing
• Noting how quickly the rash or blisters have spread
• Evaluating the amount of affected skin
• Skin biopsy (this is the best way to determine if the patient has SJS)
• Skin or oral culture to rule out infection
• Imaging tests
• Blood tests

Treating SJS

Many consider Stevens-Johnson Syndrome a dermatological emergency in the majority of cases. The skin’s job is to protect the body from a wide range of external and internal threats. When the integrity of the skin is compromised, it can increase the risk of disease and other serious side effects. Often, treatment for SJS is similar to that of burn injuries. In fact, most SJS patients stay in hospital burn units as the first line of action. Other treatments include:

• Fluids
• Antibiotics
• Intravenous (IV) pain medication
• Local analgesics to treat mouth ulcers
• Dead skin removed to encourage healing
• Steroid hormones to reduce inflammation and support the body’s immune system

It will take most patients several weeks or months to recover from SJS, depending on the severity of the condition. While the fatality rate is around five percent, this number can increase if someone doesn’t treat the condition. If you or a loved one has been affected by SJS, please contact the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers at Wormington & Bollinger to learn about your options. We are here to answer your questions and help you understand what legal rights you may have.