Stevens Johnson Syndrome FAQ:

What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and what are the symptoms?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening skin disease. With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome the sufferer can first experience non-specific symptoms, such as headaches, aching body, fever, and a bad cough. Then a rash may develop over the face and torso, which then spreads to other parts of the body. The rash is patchy and spreads. Blistering can then appear, usually in places such as the eyes, mouth, nose and genital areas, and the mucous membrane becomes inflamed.

What is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is another variation of the disease. With this variation the skin also begins to peel away in large amounts. This leaves the sufferer looking as though he or she has burns. The places where the skin has come away can seep fluids quite copiously, and there is also a big risk of infection.

What is the main cause of these diseases?

The most common cause of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is through an allergic drug reaction. The drugs that are usually responsible for these reactions include: some NSAIDS (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), Allopurinol, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, and sulfa antibiotics. The onset of symptoms in drug related Stevens-Johnson Syndrome may not appear for one or two weeks after first taking the drug. Reaction to drugs is by far the most common cause of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Are there any other causes of SJS and TENS?

Other causes of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome are very few and far between, and other than drug-related reactions there are few known causes. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome has been linked to bacterial infections in the past and also to skin graft problems. In many cases, doctors are unable to determine the cause of the disease in the patient at all.

What causes SJS in children?

With regards to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in children, medication is usually the cause of the disease. However, this condition can stem from other causes, some of which are not even known. Some of the medications that have been linked to SJS in children include children’s Motrin, Advil, and other ibuprofen based drugs. These drugs have hit the headlines on a number of occasions after being identified as the cause in a range of cases where children have become seriously ill with SJS.

How is SJS treated?

If you are diagnosed with SJS, the doctor will first need to identify the cause of the disorder, as this will determine the treatment and steps required. If the disease has occurred as a reaction to medication, you will need to stop taking the drug with immediate effect. You may be treated in the burns unit at the hospital depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is important that anyone with this type of disease is treated in the cleanest environment, as this is a disease that leaves both adults and children open to secondary infections. If you have already contracted an infection on top of the SJS, the doctor may also need to administer antibiotics. The treatment for a patient with SJS can vary depending on the health of the person and the severity of the disease. You may need fluid replacement and topical steroids, and the doctor may also have to administer oral and eye exams and treatments.

How do I initiate legal action if I have contracted SJS or TENS from a drug?

You should always seek assistance from an experienced legal expert within the field to maximize your chances of compensation. There are now a number of specialist lawyers available who deal specifically with drug-related Stevens-Johnson Syndrome cases. These drug litigation experts are well versed with the risks and statistics involved in this link, and are also well informed about the disease itself and the kind of suffering that it can cause. With more and more lawsuits being filed against companies such as Pfizer, many law firms are now employing legal experts that specialize in the drugs litigation field, and many will offer a free initial consultation to discuss the viability of a client’s case.

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