Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP)
is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. There are many different conditions that feature vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small vessels called capillaries
in the skin and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in a purplish skin rash
(most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities)
associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and sometimes cramping pain
in the abdomen. Henoch-Schonlein purpura is also referred to as anaphylactoid purpura.
What causes HSP?
HSP occurs most often in the spring season and frequently
follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages. HSP
seems to represent an unusual reaction of the body's immune system
that is in response to this infection (either bacteria or virus). Aside from infection, drugs can also trigger the condition.
HSP occurs most commonly in children, but people of all age groups
can be affected, including adults.
Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD on 10/3/2012
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Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered
Connective tissue disease is when the body's connective tissues come under attack, possibly becoming injured by inflammation. Inherited connective tissue
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A urinalysis is simply an analysis of the urine. It is a very common test that can be performed in many healthcare settings including doctors' offices, urgent care facilities, laboratories, and hospitals.
