Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Sydrome (SJS) is a rare type of skin disease that typically affects people who are over the age of 40. SJS is an incurable condition that has been shown to elicit fatal results in approximately 3% to 15% of sufferers.

Males are more likely to develop a case of SJS, the male to female ratio being two to one. A somewhat rare disease, SJS is expected to affect approximately two- to three-people per million persons each year in the United States.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a type of immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity (allergic) condition that causes inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are present throughout the body, meaning that many organs can become significantly affected as a result of SJS development.

SJS is a severe expression of a related skin condition called erythema multiforme (SJS is often called EM-Major) and a lesser expression of a skin condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS is an extremely serious condition that can potential cause severe morbidity; in some cases it can be fatal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Causes

There are four different categories of SJS causes: Underlying infections, drug reactions, malignancies and unknown. Some of the underlying infections that have been attributed to causing SJS include herpes simplex, coxackie viral infections, AIDS, influenza, hepatitis, mycoplasmal infections and mumps. Bacterial infections that have been attributed to causing SJS include Brucellosis, diphtheria, mycobacteriae, mycoplasma pneumonia and typhoid.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been linked with the use of a variety of drugs, notably antibiotics, anti-convulsants and pain relievers (both prescription and over-the-counter). Some of the commonly used drugs that have been linked with causing SJS include:

Cocaine has also been added to the list of drugs that can potentially cause SJS; however, because cocaine is an illegal narcotic, it is not generally included in the list of drugs associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Symptoms

There are a variety of Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms, each of which has the potential to cause pain and irritation. In the early stages of disease development, SJS symptoms mimic those of some infectious diseases and respiratory infections; headache, malaise and chronic coughing being the most notable of the symptoms.

As the skin disease progresses, the physical symptoms become more pronounced. SJS sufferers experience a rash that can be accompanied by simple dermatological lesions (macules) that develop into large bulbous blisters (bullae) or small elevations of the skin (papules). As a case of SJS worsens, skin lesions can become bullous to the point of rupture, leaving the flesh under the skin bare (denuded skin) and susceptible to infection.

The most severe cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome can result in some of the worst SJS symptoms, some of which include:

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Treatments

Although there are a number of treatments used to combat the effects of SJS, there is currently no cure for the rare skin disease. SJS treatments provide palliation (control of disease symptoms) for SJS sufferers, making their day-to-day life more bearable and relieving some of the effects of severe SJS symptoms.

Even though there is no cure for Stevens Johnson Syndrome, it is still important to diagnose the skin disease as early as possible. If a case of SJS is determined to be caused as a result of a drug reaction, it is important to isolate the drug causing the problem and stop its use immediately.

The blisters and lesions that are part of the development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are not unlike those that burn victims suffer from. As such, SJS victims are often treated in a similar manner as burn victims; many actually receive SJS treatment in specialized burn wards.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome as a result of a drug allergy, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. It is the responsibility of drug manufacturers to notify physicians and patients of the harmful side effects associated with use of their drugs; failure to do so is negligent and grounds for legal action. Contact the law offices of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner and Proctor at 888 437 7001 to get information about SJS victims' rights.

Areas of Legal Interest