Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) has become more prominently identified, and we would like to share some cases in the news today. Mr. Kevin Mannion, 33-year-old male, was a victim of the disease. At first, he thought he just had the flu, symptoms starting with a sore throat, and he refused any treatment or going to the doctor. After six days of feeling ill, Mr. Mannion’s fiancé found his eyes and mouth shut with blisters all over his body.

Mr. Mannion was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with SJS. Consequently, Mr. Mannion spent a month in the hospital, where his family, fiancé and two small children, anticipated his recovery. The entire situation really scared Mr. Mannion and his loved ones. His face became puffy, and his skin became reptile-like. His lips became blackened and then the skin began to peel off.

Thankfully for Mr. Mannion, his doctor was able to rule out any other medical condition quickly, like sepsis. The medical staff quickly alerted a specialized dermatology surgeon who was able to intervene at the right time, saving Mr. Mannion’s life.

Another case, reported in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is of Ms. Stephanie Mull. Ms. Mull was traveling on a business trip when she initially felt nauseous and tingling. She reported that she woke up and noticed her lips were swollen, her eyes were bright, red, and shut.

Ms. Mull called 911 and in the emergency room she began to develop blisters around her mouth, and the skin from her lips to chin began to peel off. The emergency room doctor properly examined Ms. Mull and understood she was having an adverse reaction to the antibiotics she was taking.

While in the emergency department, Ms. Mull regained enough vision to Google the diagnosis, Steven-Johnson Syndrome. This terrified Ms. Mull. She learned that there was a 35% chance that she could die and the idea of her children losing their mother terrified her.

Feeling some discomfort in her feet, Ms. Mull took off her socks, and her skin ploughed off, revealing exposed muscle. This definitely added on to her anxiety. Right away she was admitted to the burn unit and was hospitalized for eleven days in which she received the supportive therapy she needed.

After this experience, like Mr. Mannion, Ms. Mull has become an advocate for people who may feel any kinds of symptoms to seek medical care immediately. Just like we care for our clients here at McKinney, Texas, there are medical workers who do the same. It is unfortunate, but once you have SJS, the fear of dying can be overwhelming because no doctor can give you a prognosis, so please, get help right away.

Ms. Mull and Mr. Mannion are much better today from their initial diagnosis, but they are still experiencing some skin changes like chapped lips, peeling skin and a lasting rash. To avoid long-term vision loss, Ms. Mull is now wearing prescription glasses.

For all our readers and clients, if you’re taking a new medication and you start getting a rash, and you see blisters while your skin starts to peel, stop taking the medication immediately and get to your doctor as soon as possible. Contact us today if you or a loved one has suffered from SJS because of a medication error or medical negligence.