What you should know about SJS:
SJS is caused by an extreme allergic reaction to drugs or by underlying infections and malignancies. It affects the mucous membranes and the skin, eventually resulting in the outer layers of skin separating from the dermis inner layers of skin.

SJS makes the outer layer of your skin die and fall off. Painful blisters and/or sores grow on your body that look like targets. These sores will usually grow in your mouth first, and may make it hard to swallow and breathe. Sores and blisters then spread to your skin, and may be very painful and feel like burning. You may have blisters and sores in your eyes and genitals. You may also have sores in your stomach, lungs, and colon (bowel). Layers of the skin often peel away in sheets. When your skin dies and falls off, it will be dark red and look badly burned.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is considered by most doctors to be a severe form of Stevens Johnson
Syndrome. The two disorders are part of a trio of inflammatory disorders affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Both SJS and TEN can be deadly as well as very painful and distressing.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can affect any age group. However, it occurs most commonly in older people who tend to use more of the drugs associated with the disease and are therefore collectively more at risk from the disease.

Causes of SJS:
SJS is usually caused by a response to a medicine that has been taken. The response may happen within one week to two months of taking the medicine. SJS may also be caused by infection, vaccinations, or diseases involving your organs or whole body. The cause of SJS may be unknown, and SJS risk may be genetic.

The most common medicines that may cause SJS are:
• Antibiotics (used to treat infection)
• Anti-seizure medicines (used to treat    convulsions)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory    medicine (used to treat swelling or    fever)

SJS causes are broken into four different categories:
• Infections
• Drug Reactions
• Malignancies
• Unknown Causes

Some experts agree that a reaction to Dilantin can cause the onset of SJS. While Dilantin has been recalled numerous times since its introduction, it is still prescribed today.

Underlying viral infections that have been associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome include herpes simplex, AIDS, coxackie viral infections, influenza, hepatitis, mumps, mycoplasmal infections and others.

Bacterial infections include diphtheria, Brucellosis, mycobacteriae, mycoplasma pneumonia and typhoid. Fungal infections previously associated with SJS include coccidioidomycosis, dermatophytosis and histoplasmosis. Certain types of protozoal infections, including malaria and trichomoniasis, have also been reported. Although Stevens Johnson Syndrome is relatively rare in children, it has been associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

Symptoms
Stevens Johnson Syndrome can start with non-specific symptoms such as cough, aching, headaches, and feverishness. This may be followed by a red rash across the face and the trunk of the body, which can continue to spread to other parts of the body. The rash can form into blisters, and these blisters can form in areas such as the eyes and mouth.

Recognition of the early symptoms of SJS and prompt medical attention are the most invaluable tools in minimizing the possible long-term effects SJS may have on its victims.

SJS News/Resources

http://www.sjsupport.org

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/756523-overview

http://www.mediafact.com/sjs/

Other drug manufacturer cases

Gadolinium

OSPs (OsmoPrep, Fleet, Visicol)

Reglan

Levaquin

Steven's Johnson Syndrome

Avandia

Bertram Law Firm