Can You Survive Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare disorder that holds an up to 50 percent mortality rate.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, serious skin and mucous membrane disorder with a 50 percent mortality rate in severe cases. It is often triggered by certain medications.

• The condition starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash (which spreads further) and blisters that resemble a hot water burn.
• The superficial layer of the skin dies, sheds, and starts to heal after several days.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis represents the severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare disorder that accounts for only one in a million, and this is the more common form of toxic epidermal necrolysis. The condition is mostly seen in children and adults younger than 30 years but is also seen in elderly people.

One to three days before the development of the rash, the affected individual may show the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Sore throat and mouth
• Burning eyes
• Fatigue

As the condition progresses, the symptoms include:

• Unknown widespread skin pain
• Red or purple rash
• Blisters on the skin, mucous membranes of mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals
• Shedding that occurs after the blister formation
• Painful urination due to blisters on the genitals

The causes and risk factors of Stevens-Johnson syndrome are as follows:

• Environmental factors that trigger gene mu
• Allergic to certain medications
• Infections such as mycoplasma pneumonia, herpes, and hepatitis A
• Vaccinations
• Graft versus host disease
• HIV
• Bone marrow transplant
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Chronic conditions of joints and connective tissue
• Poor immunity
• Cancer

The following are the medications that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome:

• Antibacterial sulfa drugs
• Antiepileptic drugs
• Allopurinol (a drug that is used to treat gout and kidney stones)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as piroxicam and diclofenac
• Antibiotics

Your healthcare provider will check the following to confirm the diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome:

• Affected areas of skin and mucous membranes
• The level of pain
• How fast is the skin affected
• Skin biopsy

The treatment and management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include the following:

• Stop the medicine that causes the condition
• Replace electrolytes with intravenous (IV) fluids
• Use nonadhesive dressing on the affected region
• Use antibiotics to prevent infections
• Consume high-calorie foods to promote healing
• Pain relief medicines
• In a few cases, immunoglobulins (IV infusion), cyclosporins, and IV steroids are given to treat the condition

Complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include the following:

• Sepsis
• Shock
• Pneumonia
• Multiple organ failure