Blistering skin, lesions, a red-purplish rash – these are all symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a serious skin condition. SJS is a relatively rare disease that usually occurs as a result of an adverse reaction to a specific medication and can be deadly. While the symptoms may start as minor annoyances, they can quickly worsen and progress to third-degree burn-like severity. If left untreated or misdiagnosed, SJS can turn into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), an even more deadly form of the condition. Although it was once thought that SJS and TEN were different conditions, we now know they are versions of the same disease. 

To stop SJS from continuing, your symptoms must be treated quickly. As SJS progresses, several different things can happen. For instance, the original flu-like symptoms common with the disease will dissipate as ulcers start to form on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, or lips. This means that the disease is getting worse and needs immediate attention.  

SJS was once thought to be quite rare, yet we are now learning the condition has been widely misdiagnosed for many years. Because of this, more and more people are coming forward filing medical malpractice lawsuits against those responsible for the misdiagnosis. At Wormington & Bollinger, our McKinney Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers understand just how devastating an SJS diagnosis is. If you have lost a loved one to SJS, or if you have recovered from the condition yourself, but your doctor misdiagnosed you, give us a call. We offer free consultations and are here to ensure justice is served. 

Today we are going to look at what tests can be done to diagnose SJS. This is an important topic because the skin condition is so often overlooked. With the right tests, doctors will be able to ensure you get the treatment you need to bounce back from SJS. 

What Causes Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Typically, SJS is either a side effect of or an adverse reaction to the following:

● Antibiotics 

● Anticonvulsants and other anti-seizure medications

● Barbiturates 

● Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

● Sulfa-containing drugs

● Viral infections

● Bacterial infections

● HIV

● Some malignant diseases 

● Hepatitis

● Herpes simplex or herpes zoster

● Typhoid 

● Diphtheria 

● Influenza 

Furthermore, some of the most common medications that cause SJS are:

● Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

● Penicillin used to treat infections

● Sulfonamides used to treat infections 

● Anti-gout medications 

● Dilantin and other seizure medications 

● Herbal supplements containing ginseng 

As you can see, SJS can stem from many different sources. It is a confusing disease that many people are unfamiliar with, unless, of course, you or someone you know has been diagnosed with SJS. Because so many common medications and illnesses are linked to SJS, it can be difficult to understand the “why me?” 

SJS symptoms

SJS begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, cough, and nausea. As the disease progresses, patients may experience the following:

● Red or purplish rash

● Blisters or red lesions on the skin

● Blisters in the mouth, eyes, ears, nose, or genitals 

● Swelling of the eyelids 

● Ulceration of blisters

● Shedding of the skin 

While everyone is at risk of developing SJS, individuals who have been exposed to the causes of SJS are more susceptible. The majority of SJS cases either involve adults younger than 30, children, or the elderly. Sadly, children are the most likely to get SJS. If you have any of the above symptoms and have not yet seen a medical professional, do so immediately. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the better your chance of making a full recovery and preventing the condition from turning into TEN.  

Diagnosing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Some several different tests and actions can be performed to properly diagnose SJS. Typically, doctors can diagnose both SJS and TEN by doing the following:  

● Conducting a physical examination in which the skin and membranes that are affected will be assessed

● Considering how much pain the patient is in

● By looking at how fast the rash or blisters have spread on the skin

● By evaluating how much skin has been affected 

After the physical examination, your doctor may perform the following tests:  

●     Skin biopsy – This is the easiest way to confirm an SJS diagnosis. This will also rule out other causes of the reaction to ensure the correct diagnosis is made. 

●     Skin or oral culture – To rule out an infection, your doctor may take skin or oral cultures from other areas on the body. 

●     Imaging tests – A chest x-ray may be ordered to check for pneumonia (a serious complication of SJS). 

●     Blood tests – These tests are used to confirm an infection or other potential causes of SJS. 

All the above tests should give your doctor the information necessary to make a diagnosis. Although SJS is relatively unknown to the general public, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are seeing more and more of these types of cases. Moreover, we cannot reiterate how important it is to see a doctor immediately if you are displaying any of the symptoms of SJS listed above.  

It is also important that you stop taking any medications that may be contributing to your condition right away. It can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of SJS, so discontinuing any medications that could be causing it is a natural first step. 

Do I Have a Lawsuit?

Often, SJS requires hospitalization and care in a burn unit. The road to recovery is an uphill battle that may entail wound care, fluid replacement and nutrition, and even eye care. If you or a loved one have had to deal with SJS, TEN, or another condition, give our Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers a call today and schedule a free consultation. 

Filing a lawsuit against the doctor who missed your diagnosis may be possible, depending on your situation. In other cases, the drug manufacturer has been held responsible for failing to include adequate warnings. We are here to help you understand your rights and determine if filing a lawsuit makes sense for you. To learn more about your options, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today and schedule an appointment.