Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare skin condition that many people have never heard of. However, this serious disorder can develop suddenly, confusing both the patient and doctor alike. This is because the initial symptoms of SJS mimic those of the flu and other common, less serious conditions. When SJS first arises, the patient may have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. In the coming days and weeks, the patient may start to notice a painful red or purplish rash on their skin that spreads and turns into blisters. As the condition worsens, the symptoms may become unbearable. This is why it is critical for the patient to seek medical attention right away.

Typically, SJS is caused by an allergic reaction to a specific drug or medication. If left untreated, not only will the patient be in danger, but other related disorders may develop. One of the diseases most commonly linked to SJS is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

The purpose of today’s blog is to gain a better understanding of SJS and the impact it can have. We’re going to discuss the most common causes of SJS and the disorders related to SJS. If your doctor misdiagnoses you or misses your symptoms and you get sick as a result, you may be able to take legal action. Medical malpractice is unfortunately common in the United States, resulting in anywhere from 250,000 to 440,000 preventable deaths each year. Sadly, medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., behind only heart disease and cancer. Because SJS is difficult to diagnose, many doctors often overlook it. If your doctor failed to diagnose SJS accurately, contact our Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers today. We offer free consultations and can go over your case to see if you have the right to take legal action.

Understanding Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

As Stevens-Johnson Syndrome gets worse, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Cough
• Painful red or purplish rash
• Blisters
• Sores on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes, genitals, and anus
• Skin that peels off in sheets
• A “skin melting off” sensation
• Drooling
• Swollen eyes
• Eyes sealed shut
• Pain with urination

Many SJS patients must receive treatment at local burn centers, especially extreme cases and those that went undiagnosed. The initial symptoms of the illness are soon followed by a rash and then peeling, leaving the patient’s skin exposed and extremely tender. This is why ICUs and burn units often care for SJS and TEN patients. If you experience any of the above after taking a particular medication, or if you have an infection, seek medical attention right away. The sooner you diagnose and treat SJS, the better. There are a series of tests that can be performed to ensure the right diagnosis is made.

What Causes SJS?

You’ve probably picked up on the fact that SJS is unlike many other conditions. Because so many different medications and infections cause it, it can be challenging to diagnose. Typically, multiple factors contribute to the development of the condition, including genes, environmental factors, and the person’s immune system. Some of the medications that cause SJS include:

• Antibiotics, including Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin
• Sulfa drugs
• Drugs used to treat acne, like Tetracycline and Accutane
• NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen
• Anti-seizure medications
• Sedatives such as Phenobarbital
• Anti-gout medications
• Herbal supplements that include ginseng
• Lamictal, Tamiflu, and other medicines used to treat viral and fungal illnesses

Other causes of SJS and TEN include:

• Viral infection (specifically in children)
  • Mumps
  • Flu
  • Herpes-simplex virus
  • Coxsackievirus
  • Epstein-Barr virus
• HIV
• Bacterial infections

Risk Factors

In addition to the above, certain risk factors may lead to SJS and TEN, including:

• Individuals with an HIV infection
• A compromised immune system
• A family history of SJS
• A personal history of SJS
• The HLA-B1502 gene (typically families of Chinese, Southeast Asian, or Indian descent are more likely to carry this gene)

Other Conditions Linked to SJS

TEN is the most common disorder related to SJS. However, there are a handful of other conditions that have been linked to the rare skin disorder:

• Erythema multiforme (EM) – The term for a group of hypersensitivity disorders.
• Autoimmune blistering disorders – These types of disorders may develop when the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing the skin to blister and peel.
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) – This is a rare disorder that is the product of a toxin from a staph infection.
• Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome
• Toxic shock syndrome

Treatment for these conditions will vary depending on the individual. As with any disease, the sooner you catch it, the better. If your doctor made an error or was negligent in your care, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Contact the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers at Wormington & Bollinger today for more information.

SJS and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Allergic reactions to drugs or infections cause both Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. You may be wondering why they have such different names if they are the same. It may help to look at SJS and TEN as the same condition but on opposite ends of the spectrum. All cases of TEN start as SJS, if that helps. When SJS is left untreated or misdiagnosed, there is a good chance it will turn into TEN. Here are a few additional facts about SJS and TEN:

• TEN patients may also lose their hair and nails
• Medications cause an estimated 75 percent of SJS and TEN cases
• A higher percentage of adults are diagnosed with SJS than children
• The drugs most commonly linked to SJS are:
  • Antibacterial sulfa drugs
  • Anti-epileptic drugs
  • Drugs used to treat kidney stones
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Anti-HIV drugs
• SJS infects about 10 percent of the skin
• TEN infects over 30 percent of the skin’s surface

Both SJS and TEN may carry certain complications

These complications include but are not limited to, the following:

• Cellulitis (a secondary skin infection)
• Sepsis
• Eye problems
• Long problems
• Permanent skin damage 

SJS and TEN may be deadly if ignored. To learn if you have a case, or if you have questions about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in McKinney, contact Wormington & Bollinger today.