Very poor quality, I know, but a happy boy last Wednesday...
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Unfortunately, I had never so much as heard of SJS. (Or maybe I should rather say fortunately! I do, however, certainly wish I had been aware of this being out there...)
The more research I do, the more and more amazed I am at Jabe's apparent improvement. Praise the Lord!
For those of you who, like me, may be are wondering what Stevens-Johnson Syndrome even is...
SJS is an immune-complex–mediated hypersensitivity (allergic) condition. Or, as one definition puts it in simpler terms: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a serious medical condition commonly caused by an allergic reaction to drugs. The disease process for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome typically begins with a nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection. Early Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms occur in the first 1- to 14-day period during which fever, sore throat, chills, headaches and malaise may be present. Vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes noted in the early symptoms. Skin and mucous membrane lesions can develop abruptly with clusters of outbreaks lasting from 2- to 4-weeks. Continued fever or localized worsening of the lesions suggests a superimposed infection; however, continued fever has been shown to occur in up to 85% of the cases. SJS typically involves the skin and the mucous membranes. While minor presentations may occur, significant involvement of oral, nasal, eye, urethral, GI, and lower respiratory tract mucous membranes may develop in the course of the illness. Blindness can occur secondary to eye conditions caused by SJS. GI and respiratory involvement may progress to necrosis. It is a severe expression of the condition known as erythema multiforme and is a lesser form of the condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis. SJS is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of around 2.6[3] to 6.1[2] cases per million people per year. SJS is a serious systemic disorder with the potential for severe morbidity and even death. Missed diagnosis is common. SJS treatment is focused on the management of disease symptoms because there is no treatment (as of yet) able to stop the spread of the disease. *
Just beginning to show symptoms.
Receiving a nebulizer treatment.
More progressed.... At this point I think I can probably say that around at least 80% of his body was covered. His entire back side was pretty much solid "rash."
Looking better Monday night! Praise the Lord!
SJS is an immune-complex–mediated hypersensitivity (allergic) condition. Or, as one definition puts it in simpler terms: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a serious medical condition commonly caused by an allergic reaction to drugs. The disease process for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome typically begins with a nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection. Early Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms occur in the first 1- to 14-day period during which fever, sore throat, chills, headaches and malaise may be present. Vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes noted in the early symptoms. Skin and mucous membrane lesions can develop abruptly with clusters of outbreaks lasting from 2- to 4-weeks. Continued fever or localized worsening of the lesions suggests a superimposed infection; however, continued fever has been shown to occur in up to 85% of the cases. SJS typically involves the skin and the mucous membranes. While minor presentations may occur, significant involvement of oral, nasal, eye, urethral, GI, and lower respiratory tract mucous membranes may develop in the course of the illness. Blindness can occur secondary to eye conditions caused by SJS. GI and respiratory involvement may progress to necrosis. It is a severe expression of the condition known as erythema multiforme and is a lesser form of the condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis. SJS is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of around 2.6[3] to 6.1[2] cases per million people per year. SJS is a serious systemic disorder with the potential for severe morbidity and even death. Missed diagnosis is common. SJS treatment is focused on the management of disease symptoms because there is no treatment (as of yet) able to stop the spread of the disease. *
Just beginning to show symptoms.
Receiving a nebulizer treatment.
More progressed.... At this point I think I can probably say that around at least 80% of his body was covered. His entire back side was pretty much solid "rash."
Looking better Monday night! Praise the Lord!More information:
www.sjsupport.org
* My own piecing together of various online definitions and explanations from several different websites. Not complete or necessarily completely accurate.
Wow, I'll pray he continues to recover. Thanks for posting the pictures. In my nursing classes I've seen SJS mentioned as a possible medication side effect but had no idea what all it involved.
ReplyDelete~Erick