What are the symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a serious, very painful and sometimes deadly condition. Those who have been affected by SJS may qualify for legal compensation.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome’s initial symptoms may include fever, sore throat and a headache that can last a few minutes or a few days. Early symptoms then evolve into lesions and blisters on the skin, often accompanied by a respiratory infection. The condition typically affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, as well as swelling of the eyelids. The condition may progress in severity to blindness and internal organ damage. In severe cases, a form of SJS can cause the skin to burn from the inside out, causing large areas of the skin to die and shed off, which exposes patients to infections and sepsis.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a more severe form of SJS. The condition is given a TEN diagnosis when the skin ailment covers more than 30% of the body. Hundreds of Americans are diagnosed with SJS and/or TEN each year. SJS is a rare, serious allergic reaction to medication that causes the skin and mucous membranes to react severely.

Signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

SJS is considered a medical emergency and generally requires hospitalization. Early signs of SJS often mimic flu symptoms, such as fever, sore mouth and throat, fatigue, burning eyes, cough and joint pain. These symptoms are usually felt for a few days before more serious symptoms develop. Eventually, SJS patients experience a painful rash that spreads and blisters. These early rash symptoms include unexplained widespread skin pain, a red or purplish rash, blisters on the skin and the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals; and eventually, shedding of the skin.

Healthcare professionals can perform tests and procedures to diagnose the condition. The Mayo Clinic lists the following tests and procedures:

• A review of your medical history and a physical exam. Health care providers often can identify Stevens-Johnson syndrome based on your medical history, including a review of your current and recently stopped medications, and a physical exam.
• Skin biopsy. To confirm the diagnosis, and rule out other possible causes, your health care provider removes a sample of skin for laboratory testing (biopsy).
• Culture. To rule out an infection, your health care provider takes a sample of skin, tissue or fluid for laboratory testing (culture).
• Imaging. Depending on your symptoms, your health care provider may have you undergo imaging such as a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia.
• Blood tests. These are used to confirm infection or other possible causes.

Antibiotics, sulfa drugs and anti-epileptics like Lamictal are believed to be responsible for more than 50% of SJS cases. SJS is most common in adults younger than 30 years old and children, though elderly people also can be affected. SJS is more common in females.

The most essential step in treating SJS is to stop taking any medications that may be causing it.