Two Tampa Bay area boys have been diagnosed with a rare skin disease known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) within two weeks of each other. Both boys received treatment at the Tampa General Hospital’s Regional Burn Unit.

The first boy, a 16-year-old, was diagnosed in mid-December with the most advanced version of SJS called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). He contracted a staph infection inside the hospital and died Dec. 31st.

On Dec. 30, a 6-year-old boy was admitted to TGH’s burn unit and was diagnosed with SJS and has made it to the recovery phase, but is still dealing with SJS side effects including limited ability to eat or swallow. He is also undergoing intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare and serious allergic condition that starts with a fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. It happens in response to either an infection or a medication, most often the latter.

One of the boys suffered a rare reaction to an ear infection medication, which led to his SJS symptoms. Because the initial SJS symptoms mimic the flu, often a wrong diagnosis is made at this point and an antibiotic is prescribed while the disease progresses into a life-threatening condition.

Soon after the flu-like symptoms, ulcers develop on mucous membranes, most often in the mouth or on the lips, but possibly also in the anal or genital areas. In children, the eyes often develop conjunctivitis – inflammation of the eyelid lining.

Lesions in the mouth make it very difficult to eat or drink. There is also a SJS rash with blisters and a red or purple color.

SJS has another form called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). TEN involves similar ulcers on the mucous membranes, and a more extensive skin rash with blisters. The skin lesions are about an inch wide and can appear anywhere on the body, even the soles of the feet, but not the scalp.

They separate the top skin layer from the middle layer – the dermis, which has the skin’s blood supply (among other structures). Without the nutrients and oxygen delivered by arterial blood, the top skin layer dies and peels off, sometimes in large sheets. This is very painful and life-threatening. With SJS the rash tends to spread over about 10 percent of the body. With TEN, it can cover about 30 percent.

In Stevens Johnson Syndrome, patients react adversely to an over-the-counter or prescription drug. The condition affects the mucous membranes and skin and is heralded by a variety of symptoms including bloodshot or painful eyes, itching, achy joints, fever, inflamed mouth and throat, sudden skin lesions that are blister-like in appearance, mouth sores, and malaise. The condition has been known since the 1920s, but is still not fully understood.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits

Millions of patients place their trust in drug companies every day when they take medications. But, on occasion, a severe reaction occurs.

Stevens Johnson syndrome is a rare but life-threatening reaction that has been noted in response to several over-the-counter and prescription medications. Though the FDA keeps watch for potential Stevens Johnson syndrome risks and attempts to inform consumers of these risks, it’s not clear when the condition will occur.

Many patients who have developed allergic reactions such as SJS to over-the-counter or prescription drugs have filed SJS lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers.