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.

Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is an acute, fatal reaction you can have to a medication, and one such medication is phenytoin. The drug phenytoin is an antiepileptic that was prescribed to a 43-year-old male who developed both SJS and myocarditis – two of the most severe side effects of the medication.

Currently, it has been established that SJS can occur to anyone who has a drug reaction with a higher incidence in people in their 40s. This case report is about a 43-year-old male who was put on 100 mg phenytoin three times a day for seizures. Initially, he experienced sudden onset of fluid-filled bullae that vastly increased over 48 hours.

 
It was four days after he began feeling his symptoms that he came to the hospital. At the time of hospitalization, he was not taking any other medication and also complained of fever, fatigability, and shortness of breath. When he was in the emergency room he was in respiratory distress, unconscious, and not responding to deep stimuli.

 
The ER staff quickly intubated him and began medications to alleviate his symptoms. At this time, over 30% of his body was covered in ruptured bullae. After stabilization, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where the team continued his care and added hydrocortisone 100 mg intramuscular (IM) and his phenytoin was discontinued and replaced by valproic acid 1000 mg twice a day.

 
Within twelve hours of admission, he had severe renal dysregulation, his blood pressure was palpable at 80/60 mmHg, and his Glasgow coma score was 4/15. The ICU team determined he was in septic shock that was not improved by the medications. Then, six hours later, he went into cardiac arrest and was revived.

 
Unfortunately, an hour later he went into cardiac arrest again and was declared dead after efforts to revive failed. From this case study, it has been further established that proper patient care about their medication is necessary. This unfortunate male lost his life to a life-threatening phenomenon that could have been avoided if he was given another drug instead.

 
It is medically improbable for a physician to know exactly how one drug affects someone, however, if he had known the way he was feeling was a potential side effect, maybe he would have sought medical care earlier. Early recognition and diagnosis is necessary for SJS, or else the mortality rate increases. The additive diagnosis of myocarditis that led to further heart failure in this patient also did not help his case, hence, the prescribing physician should have been more thorough.

 
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 medication error or medical negligence.

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.

Every disease that has been diagnosed has been at the expense of someone who had it first. The history of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is just the same. The two men responsible for identifying SJS are Albert Stevens, a surgeon, and Frank Johnson, a pediatrician.

Albert Stevens was born in 1884 in Rangoon, India. In 1894, he moved to the United States and received his B.A. from Yale University in 1905, and he went to Oxford on a Rhoades scholarship in 1908. He received an M.D. degree from Columbia University in 1915 and subsequently served in World War I as an assistant surgeon. While he was assisting in WWI, he was captured by the Germans, who kept him as a prisoner of war until the war ended. After being released, he came back to the United States and continued as a full-time surgeon at Bellevue Hospital, NYC.

Dr. Frank Johnson graduated from Rutgers College in 1916 and received his M.D. degree from Columbia University in 1920. His life is less documented than Dr. Albert’s and how and when they met is historically unknown. It is assumed they both met at Columbia University where they were studying medicine, and then later while they were both full-time staff members at Bellevue Hospital, NYC. Though, neither was an ophthalmologist, they collaborated on a publication “A New Eruptive Fever Associated with Stomatitis and Ophthalmia” for the American Journal of Diseases of Children in December 1922.

The journal was known under that name from 1911 to the 1990’s, and then known as the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, and now JAMA Pediatrics. The publication was on a case study involving two young boys admitted to Bellevue Hospital in NYC with oval, dark red to purple eruptions on their skin, separate from normal tissue. They documented that they had “bull’s-eye” appearance. The two boys also had fever, inflamed mucus membranes, and conjunctivitis. However, only one of the boys had complete loss of his vision.

The two doctors had never seen such a case before, and nor had their colleagues. Under the consultation of many other physicians, they published the case study, and this was the first documented case of Steven-Johnson Syndrome. Historically, it is unknown when the new-eruptive fever became formally known as SJS. Now, SJS is understood as an immune hypersensitivity complex involving the skin and mucus membranes. We further understand SJS as a mild form of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
To distinguish between SJS and TEN, SJS involves less than 10% of the body’s surface to be detached from the epidermis. The overlapping diagnosis is when there is 10-30% of detachment from the epidermis, and then there is more than 30%, it is called TEN. Because of the work of doctors Albert and Frank, we now know that the ocular manifestations of SJS or TEN are very severe and must be treated promptly.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SJS or TEN due to medical error or negligence, contact us today. Our attorneys are helping hundreds of victims find some financial and judicial justice.

Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and life-threatening condition that is more prone to anybody who is considered immunocompromised. One such state of being immunocompromised is pregnancy. SJS is a hypersensitivity reaction to certain drugs and vaccines affecting the skin and the mucous membranes. What happens is that in the body there is altered drug metabolism in some patients causing formation of reactive metabolites that bind to and alter cell proteins. This triggers a T-cell-mediated cytotoxic reaction to drug antigens in keratinocytes.

SJS skin lesions and sores can affect the mucous membranes of eyes, mouth, nasal passage, lips and genitals. Hence, this is extremely dangerous, and thankfully, rare in pregnancy. The reason why this condition has to be monitored with care is that severe constitutional disturbances can result in death from pneumonia, septicemia, myocarditis or renal failure. All of these can be fatal for the mother and the fetus. Also, severe scarring of the genital tract may also occur occasionally, with no permanent damage to the female genital tract itself.

Through much research, one case report of vaginal stenosis after SJS in pregnancy was discovered 6 weeks after cesarean section for breech presentation. In this case study, the good news was the baby being born in perfect health. The management of SJS was similar in pregnancy as it would be for any other affected patient. Immediately after the diagnosis was made, the medical team promptly withdrew all potential causative drugs and began intravenous fluid replacement. During the time the mother was in the ICU, symptomatic treatment was done with care, oral nutrition was initiated by nasogastric tube, anticoagulation and the prevention of stress ulcer begun.

The treatment included topical antiseptics (0.5% silver nitrate or 0.05% chlorhexidine) paint, bathe, or dress the patients. Though it is difficult to have advised preventive measures for SJS, the patient was informed of the likelihood of recurrence, and to avoid all drugs with SJS as a potential side effect. With early diagnosis and prompt management, in this case, the mother and the child were both saved. Specifically, in the case study, the patient was taking injectable Cefotaxime and after four days she had redness of the eyes, swelling of the lips, iris lesions which were becoming congruent all over the body, on the palms, soles, oral ulcers and was unable to take anything orally.

When she was admitted she had a rash that involved the palms and soles, and her mouth was edematous. There were ragged ulcers on her buccal mucosa that spread all over her lips and soft palate. Fortunately for the patient, she was past 37 weeks gestation, because, on her second day of hospitalization, she had premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and delivered a female child vaginally. Throughout labor, there were no issues, but after delivery, she began to form new lesions and was put on systemic steroids. After ten days, she was tapered off and the mom and baby were discharged home.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with SJS and have any concerns or would like to file a suit for medical negligence, contact us today.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening diseases with a rare incidence. The incidence of SJS and TEN were assessed using a nationwide administrative database in Korea. In McKinney, we feel that this research is relevant because this is a global problem physicians, pharmacists, and lawyers are fighting to prevent. Epidemiologic data provides important information to physicians and public health professionals to understand and establish an appropriate health care plan. Nevertheless, precise epidemiologic studies are costly as well as difficult to carry out, especially for extremely rare diseases; hence, any kind of data can help.

The study which we are referring to was conducted to assess the nationwide incidence of SJS and TEN using the National Health Insurance database in Korea.  Between the years 2010 and 2013, a total of 1,167 (938 SJS and 229 TEN) cases were newly diagnosed in Korea. The data suggest that SJS and TEN are infrequent but constantly risen throughout the years, whereas the mortality of TEN seems to have decreased. As established, medications are the most important risk factors for the development of SJS and TEN. Aside from medications, changes in prescription patterns and insurance policies have influenced the incidence of serious adverse drug reactions. According to the 2011 cohort analysis, the in-hospital mortality was 5.7% and 15.1% for SJS and TEN, respectively. The mortality increased with age, predominantly, after 40 years of age.

The correlation with age on the mortality of SJS and TEN is an established risk factor. The most common complication was ocular sequelae, 43.1% SJS and 43.4% TEN. The second most common complication was urethral sequelae, 5.7% SJS and 9.4% TEN. Very few patients sought medical care for complications such as discoloration of the skin and nail problems. The total medical costs spent in 2011 on each episode were $2,915±4,843 USD for SJS and $9,726±16,873 USD for TEN. This is reportedly much more than the average medical expenditure of $1,700 USD per capita in Korea.

Mortality rates of SJS have been reported as 1%±13 and 30%±50% for TEN, and the fatalities have been reported to occur in considerable numbers even after discharge from hospitals. The best prognostic factor has been found to be an earlier diagnosis. Because the more information, as well as supportive care, contributes to this reduction in mortality. In this study, it was reported that the frequency of urethral sequelae was higher in the TEN patients, which correlates with earlier reports. Therefore, special attention should be given to urethral sequelae while managing patients with TEN.

Both SJS and TEN are a medical, healthcare, burden that can be detrimental to all those involved. Understanding that Korea, a country on the opposite side of the world also feels that these are rare conditions that must be further understood, gives our team of lawyers the background we need to continue fighting for all clients. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with SJS and have any concerns or would like to file a suit for medical negligence, contact us today at McKinney.

The attorneys at McKinney Law Firm are experts in defending our clients against medical negligence. McKinney attorneys are currently helping numerous victims who were diagnosed with Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) due to medical negligence. We have spent a lot of time researching and learning more about SJS, and today we would like to help educate our readers about what happens afterwards.

SJS is a rare but serious disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals, and eyes. The mucous membrane is the soft layer of tissue that lines the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, as well as the genital tract (reproductive organs) and eyeballs. Usually, SJS is caused by an unpredictable adverse reaction to certain medications. It can also sometimes be caused by an infection.

Luckily for those affected, once the diagnoses have been made and the underlying cause has been eradicated, SJS is not contagious. The only reason why most patients will have to spend time in isolation is because of the pain they are and their increased susceptibility to infections.  We believe it is important to understand that SJS is extremely rare, and the risk of getting the syndrome is 1 in 1,00 to 100,000 people taking the offending agent or affected by an infection.

After the diagnosis of SJS, the only way to stop the syndrome from progressing is to successfully treat (in the case of an infection), or terminate (in the case of medication). Within a few you’re your new skin may start to grow after a few days. Nonetheless, it is also important to recognize that the length of time it takes to recover from SJS is proportionate to how severe it is.

Unfortunately, if the cause of SJS was due to a medication, you’ll need to avoid that medication and possibly other similar medications for the rest of your life. It is important to fully educate oneself on all drugs that have SJS as a side effect. This is an imperative conversation you or your loved ones should have with a physician.

Since SJS directly affects the skin and mucous membranes, it can cause a number of complications, including:

• skin changes
  • when your skin grows back it may be uneven in color
  • scarringmay occur
• secondary skin infection
  • cellulitis
    • can lead to further, serious problems such as blood poisoning
  • sepsis
• problems with internal organs
  • organs can become inflamed
    • the lungs (pneumonia),
    • heart (myocarditis),
    • kidneys (nephritis)
    • liver (hepatitis)
    • esophagus may also become narrowed and scarred (esophageal stricture)
  • eye problems
    • irritation
    • dry eyes
    • corneal ulceration,
    • uveitis(inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye)
    • blindness
  • sexual dysfunction
    • vaginal stenosis (narrowing of the vagina caused by a build-up of scar tissue)
    • scarring of the penis

To avoid further complications of SJS, it is advised to seek medical consultations specific to the affected organs. This is usually done when you are in inpatient in the ICU. The most advisable physician in the setting of SJS is a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to accurately diagnose and advise about SJS with or without biopsy.  For some patients, the involvement of a surgeon, even plastic surgeon, and burn specialist may also be appropriate.

Depending on organ system involvement, consultations will be advised by the primary care or attending physician assigned to you in the hospital. Patients with SJS require regular monitoring of their medications and status. Those patients with erythema multiforme major (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) must be hospitalized for the course of their treatment to reduce further complications. All patients with erythema multiforme major should be followed closely.

If you or a loved one have been affected by SJS due to medical negligence, contact us at McKinney Law Firm today. Our expert attorneys can help you find restitution.

We here at McKinney are a law firm dedicated to medical negligence for all people who have been misdiagnosed when they have had Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS). As part of our goal to help those who have suffered at the hands of medical negligence, we want to also help you understand your syndrome. In this article, we will help you with the treatment and management of SJS. To avoid further medical negligence, this will help you have the conversation with your physician.

The management of SJS is usually provided in intensive care units (ICU) or burn centers. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment of SJS and most management involves treating the symptoms. The patients affected by SJS are usually in a position they cannot speak, so we understand a lot of this information is for their family and loved ones.

The first people who are involved in the management are paramedics. It is their responsibility to recognize the presence of severe fluid loss and should treat patients with SJS as they would someone with thermal burns. Once you are in the emergency room (ED), the medical staff should make it their priority to hemodynacilly stable the patient with IV fluids and proper prophylactic antibiotics.

Initially, patients should be treated with special attention to airway, fluid status, wound/burn care, and pain control. Treatment will be primarily supportive and symptomatic. Some patients may require corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, hemodialysis, and immunoglobulin, depending on the severity of the burns.

Next, it is important to manage oral lesions with mouthwashes. Topical anesthetics may help in reducing pain and allow the patient to take in fluids. The affected burned areas of denuded skin must be covered with compresses of saline or Burow solution. Also, it may be impertinent to address tetanus prophylaxis for patients whose immune history is unknown.

In the first 24 hours, fluid management is provided by macromolecules and saline solutions. Once the blood levels are available, phosphate salts are necessary in the presence of hypophosphatemia. After the second day of hospitalization, oral intake of fluids provided by nasogastric tube is begun, so that intravenous fluids can be tapered progressively and discontinued, usually in two weeks.

Massive parenteral nutrition is necessary as soon as possible to replace the protein loss and to promote healing of cutaneous lesions. Intravenous insulin therapy may be required because of impaired glycoregulation in settings of pancreatic or liver injury. When the environmental temperature is raised to 30-32°C, it reduces caloric loss through the skin. Fluidized air beds are recommended if a large portion of the skin on the patient’s backside is involved. Heat shields and infrared lamps are used to help reduce heat loss.

Anticoagulation with heparin for the duration of hospitalization is recommended to avoid an embolus. Antacids reduce the incidence of gastric bleeding, but should be regularly monitored via complete blood counts and metabolic panels. Pulmonary care will include aerosols, bronchial aspiration, and physical therapy. Also, patients with SJS are at a high risk of infection. Sterile handling and/or reverse-isolation nursing techniques are essential to decrease the risk of nosocomial infection.

Cultures of blood (CBC, CMP), BMP), catheters, gastric tubes, and urinary tubes must be performed regularly. Antiseptics, such as 0.5% silver nitrate or 0.05% chlorhexidine, to paint and bathe the affected skin areas. Antimicrobials are indicated in cases of urinary tract or cutaneous infections, either of which may lead to bacteriemia. The use of antibiotics should always be further justified with cultures.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with SJS and have any concerns or would like to file a suit for medical negligence, contact us today at McKinney.

Once a diagnosis of Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) has been made, the doctor has the responsibility to make sure the proper steps are taken. However, before the doctor sees you and diagnosis you, there are things you may do as well. Suspecting that you may have SJS, you should start by stopping the offending agent. On the Wormington & Bollinger SJS website we have listed drugs associated with SJS, and if you are taking any of them, stop right away. Also, simultaneously you should call 911 and make sure an ambulance comes to your location as well. SJS is a life-threatening syndrome. Many people may hesitate to call for help or to go to the hospital, but do not make that mistake. The faster you can get help, the better it will be for your prognosis.

If you have an understanding of what is happening and are about to go to the hospital or after you have called for help, there are a couple of things you should do. The best thing to do first is to gather all the medication you have been taking within the last three weeks, including any over the counter or prescription medications. With this information, the doctor in the emergency room that sees you will have an easier time understanding which of your medications caused your reaction and also help rule out any other disease or syndromes. Another thing you can do to help the medical staff is bringing a family member or a close friend with you to the hospital. It helps, in any emergency situation, when the medical team has someone to speak to and ask questions in the event you are unable to answer.

A few questions your doctor may ask you when you arrive in the emergency department (ED/ER) include:

1. How long have you been experiencing the rash or skin sloughing, if present?
2. Is it painful?
3. Where did it start?
4. When did it start?
5. Have you had a flu-like illness recently?
6. What other medical conditions do you have?
7. What medications have you taken in the last three weeks?
8. Have you been educated on the side effects of your medication?
9. Have you ever experienced this condition before?
10. Do you have any allergies?

To establish your diagnosis, your doctor will do a thorough physical exam and also perform a skin test to confirm. While you are hospitalized or once you have been diagnosed with SJS, it is a good idea to ask your doctor some questions about your condition as well, including:

1. What caused my condition?
2. How do I keep from having this reaction again?
3. What restrictions do I need to follow?
4. If you have other medical conditions: How do I manage them together?
5. How long will it take my skin to heal?
6. Will I or am I likely to have any permanent damage?

Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) can affect anyone at any time. If you have been affected by SJS, contact the SJS attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger today.

The prognosis of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) varies depending on the amount and severity of the lesions. Most lesions typically heal within a week or two, unless a secondary infection occurs, however, many people recover without additional consequence. The prognosis of someone with SJS is correlated with mortality. Mortality is linked with the amount of skin sloughing. If a person’s body surface area (BSA) sloughing is less than 10%, their prognosis is 95-99%, with a mortality rate of 1-5%. On the other hand, when a person’s BSA is 30% the mortality rate rises to 25-35% to as high as 50%. During the course of the sloughing the most pertinent risk factor are the bacteremia and sepsis plays a major role in mortality.
To assess your prognosis, your doctor will use a severity-of-illness score for toxic epidermal necrolysis (SCORTEN). The SCORTEN calculates the risk for death in both diseases based on these variables:

• Age >40 years
• Malignancy (i.e. tumors)
• Heart rate >120 (tachycardia)
• Initial percentage of epidermal detachment >10%
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level >10 mmol/L (kidney function)
• Serum glucose level >14 mmol/L
• Bicarbonate level < 20 mmol/L (kidney function)

Each of these variable is assigned a value of 1 point, and mortality/prognosis rates are as follows (the percentages are correlated with the chance death due to the disease):

• 0-1 points, ≥3.2%;
• 2 points, ≥12.1%;
• 3 points, ≥35.3%;
• 4 points, ≥58.3%; and
• 5 or more points, ≥90%.

In addition to the scoring, other risk factors that will influence your prognosis include persistent neutropenia (defined as neutropenia lasting more than 5 days), hypoalbuminemia (usually <2 g/dL), and persistent azotemia. Neutropenia puts you at risk for infections, low albumin can lead to heart failure, and azotemia signifies kidney failure. Studies have shown that some people can lose very large areas of their skins, while others can form new skin in a matter of days. Hence, it is very difficult to assess prognosis in the early days of the disease. Physiologically, re-epithelialization (regrowth of skin) is usually completed within 3 weeks, but areas with a lot of pressure and mucus may remain eroded and crusted for prolonged periods of time.

After the mortality rate drops due to time or healing or medicine, the survivors of SJS may experience numerous long-term sequelae. Of these possible sequelae, the most disabling may be the eye, known as cicatrization. This is when there are conjunctival erosions that can lead to:

• Inverted eyelashes,
• Photophobia,
• A burning sensation in the eyes,
• Watery eyes,
• A siccalike syndrome (autoimmune disease, Sjőgren’s Syndrome, dry mouth, dry eyes), and
• Corneal and conjunctival neovascularization.

Prognosis of your SJS can also impact your case, possibly leading to a better settlement for your family and loved ones. At Wormington & Bollinger we have dedicated an excellent team of lawyers to fight for your individual needs if you have been affected by either a misdiagnosis or improper care leading to Steven-Johnson Syndrome due to any cause. Compensation for our clients’ pain and suffering is the number motivation for our lawyers and we are here for you if you feel you are a victim of SJS due to indecorous medical practices. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Over the last several months we have discussed at length many of the concerns surrounding Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Earlier this month we went over some of the most common questions we field pertaining to SJS, which we hope provided a bit more insight into just how serious this skin condition is. Many people have never heard of SJS, which is just one of the reasons why this disease is so deadly and dangerous to infants, toddlers, adolescents, and adults alike. Because many of the symptoms of SJS are similar to those of other conditions, SJS often goes undiagnosed. When this happens, the condition can worsen and even turn deadly.

For many, being diagnosed with SJS is a confusing and tumultuous time. Not only have they never heard of the disease, but now they must find a way to fight it. In the event your doctor or healthcare practitioner misdiagnosed SJS as something else, or brushed your symptoms off altogether, you may be able to take legal action. Across the country we are seeing more and more SJS lawsuits being filed against doctors and hospitals. This is because the symptoms of SJS are so often overlooked, allowing the disease to worsen and, in some cases, even turn into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS). With this in mind, it is important to understand what is involved in a SJS lawsuit and what steps should be taken in order to seek compensation for losses and damages. With this, it is also imperative that you understand what your treatment options are, should you be diagnosed with SJS.

Today we are going to look at what some of the top treatment options are for SJS. Due to the type of symptoms associated with SJS, most patients are treated in intensive care units or burn centers. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for SJS, which means that patients are treated symptomatically. In many cases, SJS treatment is no different than the treatment of individuals suffering from burns. Let’s now go over some information on how SJS is treated:

• Once a patient has been diagnosed with SJS, the first step will be to determine the underlying cause of the disease
  • This could be a drug reaction or infection
• Once the cause has been determined, the medical team will come up with an appropriate treatment plan
• Common treatments include oral and topical corticosteroids
  • This will work to reduce the rash and swelling symptoms in less severe cases
• In severe cases of SJS involving the eyes and eyelids, the patient will need to be examined by an ophthalmologist in order to prevent permanent eye damage
• For patients experiencing severe burn-like symptoms, they may be referred to a burn treatment center where the care they will receive will be similar to burn victims
• In severe cases, the patient may need a fluid replacement, sterile environment to prevent infection, and skin graft consultation

In order to ensure those diagnosed with SJS have a fair shot of recovery, it is imperative they seek medical treatment right away. In the event you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed with a different condition and it was later determined you had SJS, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice. To learn more about SJS lawsuits in Texas, please contact a Stevens-Johnson Syndrome attorney today. Our knowledgeable SJS attorneys are prepared to sit down and go over your case with you today, ensuring justice is served and you receive compensation for your losses.

For those who have been impacted by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), it can be difficult to know how to proceed and what your rights are. This life-changing skin condition is not as well-known as many other diseases, which can lead to numerous problems for patients. SJS is often misdiagnosed or missed altogether, which can result in the condition worsening and the patient suffering serious repercussions. We are often asked, “do I have an SJS lawsuit?”, which is something we discussed a few weeks back. There are many factors that will go into whether you have an SJS lawsuit on your hands, which is why we encourage you to contact us if you believe you either developed SJS after taking a prescription drug or your doctor misdiagnosed your symptoms as a different condition.

Today we are going to look at some of the most common questions we field surrounding SJS. We understand what a sensitive subject this is and will do everything we can to ensure you understand your rights and how you may be able to proceed legally.

What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
As we’ve discussed in the past, SJS is a serious condition that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Even though it is rare, it can be extremely serious and even result in loss of life. If left untreated, SJS may develop into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which has a higher fatality rate than SJS and is very difficult to diagnose.

What Are the Top Symptoms of SJS?
As we have discussed in the past, some of the most common symptoms of SJS include: flu-like symptoms, high fever, peeling skin, rash or redness, swelling of the eyelids, painful blisters, sores on the mouth, eyes, throat, intestinal tract, genital and anal areas. In some cases, the individual’s skin may peel off in larger areas.

Is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Referred to as Anything Else?
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is often referred to as SJS, as you may have guessed. Other names for SJS include Erythema Multiforme Major, Erythema Multiforme Minor, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). When SJS advances to TEN, death is a result in nearly one-third of all cases.

When Was SJS First Diagnosed?
The first case of SJS was diagnosed nearly 100 years ago in 1922 by pediatricians A.M. Stevens and S.C. Johnson. While not all SJS cases involve children, the very first case was diagnosed after a young child had a serious reaction to a prescription drug.

What Group of People is SJS Most Common Amongst?
SJS can affect anyone of any age, however, research indicates that females are more at risk than males. Furthermore, anyone taking a prescription drug or over-the-counter medication may be at risk of developing SJS.

Determining whether you have the legal right to pursue an SJS lawsuit isn’t as cut and dry as many people would like, which is where we come in. The Stevens-Johnson Syndrome attorneys have the experience and resources to sit down and go over your case with you, looking for signs of misconduct and coming up with a strategy that has your best interests in mind. If you have any questions about SJS lawsuits that were not answered above, or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, please do not hesitate to contact us.