Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Overview

What is SJS?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

In 1922, Albert M. Stevens and Frank C. Johnson, two American pediatricians, first described the allergic disorder, and the syndrome was named after them.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe allergic reaction caused in most cases by over-the-counter drugs or prescription medication. An inflammatory disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes, SJS results in blisters, lesions, and sloughing skin layers that painfully expose nerve endings. Mucous membranes in the mouth, eyes, nose, lower respiratory tract, GI tract, anal, and genital areas are commonly affected. SJS is a serious and sometimes fatal illness with about 300 cases reported annually.

SJS symptoms

Fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and burning eyes are the first symptoms to appear before a rash develops. Statistics show that up to 10 percent of SJS patients experience blindness, and fatality can be as high as 15 percent. Symptoms occurring at various SJS stages include the following:

Red or purple rash
Blisters and lesions
Swelling
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Dry eye syndrome
Bacterial infections
Dehydration
Breathing complications from lung lesions
Asthma

Sloughing skin layers
Scarring
Iris irritation
Vision loss
Partial or complete blindness
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Permanent nail bed loss
Arthritis

What is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) or Lyell’s Syndrome?

Physicians classify toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)—also called Lyell’s syndrome—as a more extreme case of SJS that affects a greater percentage of the body. In both diseases, the top layer of skin separates from other skin layers. Medical professionals classify SJS, TEN, and an overlapping category called SJS/TEN as follows:

SJS—10% skin detachment
SJS/TEN—10-30% skin detachment
TEN—more than 30% skin detachment

Mortality is higher with TEN than SJS.

Drugs are associated with causing more than 80 percent of SJS/TEN and 95 percent of TEN cases.

We are currently investigating and pursuing cases involving Dilantin and Lamictal.

Get legal help from Greg Jones & Associates

Our firm represents SJS and TEN clients nationwide, helping them get compensation to deal with high medical costs and other case concerns. If you, a loved one, or your child has taken medications that resulted in SJS or TEN, arrange a free consultation. Call us directly, 24 hours a day, at 888-842-7985 or contact us online.