Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare, painful and debilitating condition that can cause the top layer of skin to shed and die, and is usually an allergic reaction in response to medication, infection or illness.

Even more alarming is new research that suggests the disease may have a high risk of reoccurrence within the first year of diagnosis, even more severe than the first episode and can be fatal in many cases.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a disease of the skin and mucus membranes. It is often the result of an allergic reaction to medication but can also occur due to the infection of certain viruses. Some people are more prone to developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome due to a genetic predisposition.

Research suggests that there are between 1 and 7 cases of SJS for every 1 million people each year. Unfortunately for the few who develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the reoccurrence risk is much higher. Several medications are associated with risks of SJS including but not limited to:

• Acetaminophen
• Dilantin
• Celebrex
• Ibuprofen
• Lamictal
• Protonix
• Tylenol
• Zithromax

Study: Risk of SJS Reoccurrence

An article published in an issue of JAMA suggests that Stevens Johnson Syndrome has a high risk for reoccurrence. The article was written by a medical researcher Yaron Finkelstein, an MD from the Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto Canada.

According to the article, researchers conducted a study based on residents living in Ontario Canada who were hospitalized for episodes of SJS between 2002 and 2011.

Out of 13 million residents 708 Stevens Johnson Syndrome patients were identified. Of those 708 patients, 127 died in the hospital or within 60 days of being discharged.

The report goes on to show that when looking at a period of 1283 days after each patients initial hospital visit, 42 patients or 7.2% of the surviving patients were readmitted for subsequent episodes of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Eight of the patients suffered more than one reoccurrence.

SJS Symptoms

Stevens Johnson Syndrome begins with flu-like symptoms. A person may begin to experience fever, sore mouth and throat, cough, burning eyes, and fatigue.

These symptoms then begin to evolve and become more physical. In this stage, Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms include tongue and facial swelling, hives, skin pain, a quickly spreading red or purple rash, and blisters on the skin and mucus membranes.

In severe cases patients may experience the shedding of the upper and lower layers of skin. When more than 30 percent of a patient’s body is affected, the Stevens Johnson Syndrome may develop into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or TEN. Both conditions are extremely serious and anyone experiencing these physical symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

SJS Lawsuits

Attorneys are investigating potential Steven Johnson Syndrome lawsuits to bring against various drug manufacturers. These SJS lawsuits generally allege that the pharmaceutical manufacturers failed to warn the medical community and general public about the serious risk of developing SJS or TEN associated with taking certain medications.

Awards and settlements from these lawsuits may help victims pay both past and future medical bills and will begin to compensate victims for the pain and suffering they endured.