We are continuing our efforts to fight for everyone who has been diagnosed with Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) due to medical error or negligence. As part of that initiative, we do continuous research, and here are some new cases that have made it to the news.

In July, a young teen was recovered after six months in the hospital at Nassau University Medical Center. At the time of the onset of his symptoms, Kevin was taking an acne medication. Initially had some sores in his mouth that spread to his nose, eyes, and mouth.

When he arrived in the emergency room (ER) at the Nassau University Medical Center, they quickly transferred him to the burn unit where he was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). TEN is the more severe form of SJS.

The doctors treating him commented that he was in incomprehensible pain and fighting for his life, literally. The entire medical team was cautious as to if Kevin would make it through because the tetracycline he had been taken for the acne were severe.

Kevin was only fourteen years old, but thanks to the medical care and an early visit to the ER he is now celebrating his fifteenth birthday. However, to avoid this from ever happening again, Kevin and his mother were then properly educated on the numerous medications that could cause SJS and to avoid them.

The next case is of an eight-year-old little girl who suffered from a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine and subsequently developed SJS in Melbourne, Australia when she was just two days old and went blind.

The mother, Edwina, 39, said that the baby girl developed sores all over her body first, and then became blind. As little Isabel fought her allergic reaction, she was left with life-altering side effects.

Isabel had lost most of her sight and had to still learn to walk, eat and talk. The mom said the baby’s skin was red raw and was falling into her hands, especially her eyebrows and cheeks.  Edwina was petrified because her baby’s skin smelt of burning flesh for weeks.

The medical staff did not have high hopes for the baby’s recovery, the baby did make it through. In the beginning, the baby’s skin was warm to touch and Edwina is grateful her baby made it through. She also encourages parents to know what SJS is and be educated on all side effects of medications and vaccinations their kids receive.

The third case we would like to share is about Danny Anderson, who was about to begin fifth grade while he was waiting for multi-organ transplants at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Danny’s story started with the diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction that relapsed post ileostomy. While in and out of hospitals, he had every complication, including SJS. In between all the medical concerns, Danny is still fighting and so is his family.

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. Afterwards, contact us at McKinney, Texas today if you or a loved one have suffered from SJS because of a medication error or medical negligence.