Nearly every parent has had to take his or her child to the doctor as a result of an apparent infection the child has acquired.

After a brief appointment, most parents walk out with a simple prescription for medication designed to attack the infection quickly and restore the child’s health.

The common prescription that parents receive for their children is Zithromax.

Zithromax is preferred by many physicians and parents as well because it tends to be quite effective and the course of treatment is typically much shorter than with those of other antibiotics.

However, what parents may not realize is that the medication can cause Zithromax skin side effects in children, side effects that may range from mild and temporary to severe and potentially fatal.

What is Zithromax?

Zithromax is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections. It is commonly used to treat sinus infections, skin infections, upper respiratory infections, throat infections, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections and many other common infections seen in childhood.

Zithromax’s method of action is different from that of traditional antibiotics. While many antibiotics are aimed at killing the bacteria to reduce their number, Zithromax works by preventing the replication of bacteria.

When the bacteria are no longer able to reproduce, their numbers begin to remain steady. At that point, the body’s natural immune system takes over and finishes eradicating the infection on its own.

Zithromax Side Effects

As with any prescription or over-the-counter medication, side effects are common. Common side effects associated with Zithromax use include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, insomnia, fatigue, headache, itchiness, and others. Typically these side effects lessen as the body acclimates to the new medication and they are short-lived.

Zithromax Skin Side Effects in Children

Sometimes, Zithromax skin side effects and children are nothing more than a temporary reaction to the medication. Atypical-looking rash and itching is usually not cause for serious concern in most cases.

However, more serious Zithromax skin side effects are possible in children. In particular, a very severe allergic drug reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome may occur in response to Zithromax use.

Stevens Johnson syndrome, or SJS, typically starts off with symptoms resembling a cold or flu. Children may feel tired and lethargic, have chills, fever and sore throat.

Often, these symptoms are overlooked because they appear to be the same symptoms of the original infections, or they may be dismissed as a common cold.

However, shortly after the flu-like symptoms develop, the characteristic SJS rash appears. This SJS symptom manifests as a red or purple rash full of blisters that can appear on the mucous membranes of the body as well as skin.

The rash as part of the Zithromax skin side effects in children can cover most of the child’s body. In a related and more severe condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis, or TEN, up to 90% or more of the body can be covered in this rash.

The rash causes the skin cells to die, and as a result, the skin sloughs off in large sheets, exposing the lower layers of skin. SJS Zithromax skin side effects in children often appear to resemble the skin of a burn victim.

There is no cure for SJS, and the condition is a medical emergency. Measures to stabilize the patient while the reaction wears off are taken and include wound care, pain management, IV hydration and nutrition.

The SJS reaction can last from several days to several months. Some children may make a full or near full recovery while others may sustaine permanent organ damage. Other children may suffer from fatal outcomes related to their extreme reaction to Zithromax.

Filing a Zithromax SJS Lawsuit

Parents whose child has been diagnosed with Steven Johnson Syndrome may consider filing a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer for failing to warn of the possible severe Zithromax skin side effects in children.

An attorney can review your case at no charge to you and can help you decide the next steps to take as you contemplate legal action.