The disease is relatively new to Nigerians, as many people heard of it for the first time yesterday Friday, May 13, 2016.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, also called SJS, is a rare but serious problem. Most often, it's a severe reaction to a medicine you've taken. It causes your skin to blister and peel off. It affects your mucus membranes, too. Blisters also form inside your body, making it hard to eat, swallow, even urinate.
Causes
It's usually a reaction to a medication or an infection. Almost any DRUG can cause SJS, including over the counter drugs. SJS does not discriminate against anyone! Everyone should be aware of allergic drug reactions.
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Drugs that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Anti-gout medications, such as allopurinol
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Medications to fight infection, such as penicillin
Medications to treat seizures or mental illness (anticonvulsants and antipsychotics)
Radiation therapy
Infectious causes
Infections that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Herpes (herpes simplex or herpes zoster)
Pneumonia
HIV
Hepatitis
Factors that increase your risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Viral infections. Your risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome may be increased if you have an infection caused by a virus, such as herpes, viral pneumonia, HIV or hepatitis.
Weakened immune system. If you have a weakened immune system, you may have an increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Your immune system can be affected by an organ transplant, HIV/AIDS and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
A history of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. If you've had a medication-related form of this condition, you are at risk of a recurrence if you use that drug again.
A family history of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. If an immediate family member has had Stevens-Johnson syndrome or a related condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis, you may be more susceptible to developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome too.
Having a certain gene. If you have a gene called HLA-B 1502, you have an increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, particularly if you take certain drugs for seizures or mental illness. Families of Chinese, Southeast Asian or Indian descent are more likely to carry this gene.
Symptoms
SJS usually starts with a fever and feeling like you have the flu. A few days
Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
Blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
Red, painful, watery eyes
Treatment
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalization. Treatment focuses on eliminating the underlying cause, controlling symptoms and minimizing complications.
Recovery after Stevens-Johnson syndrome can take weeks to months, depending on the severity of your condition. If it was caused by a medication, you'll need to permanently avoid that drug and others closely related to it.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome complications include:
Severe cases can be fatal, though, especially during the 3 months after it started. The most common complications tend to be sepsis (an inflammatory reaction in your whole body), trouble breathing because fluid builds up in your lungs, or many organs that stop working. Your chances are better if you're young and otherwise healthy, but you're still at greater risk for up to a year.
Secondary skin infection (cellulitis). Cellulitis can lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis.
Blood infection (sepsis). Sepsis occurs when bacteria from an infection enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body. Sepsis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure.
Eye problems. The rash caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome can lead to inflammation in your eyes. In mild cases, this may cause irritation and dry eyes. In severe cases, it can lead to extensive tissue damage and scarring that results in blindness.
Damage to internal organs. It's unusual for this condition to affect internal organs. But it may cause inflammation of the lungs, heart, kidneys or liver.
Permanent skin damage. When your skin grows back following Stevens-Johnson syndrome, it may have abnormal bumps and coloring. And you may have scars. Lasting skin problems may cause your hair to fall out, and your fingernails and toenails may not grow normally.
Preventing SJS
There's often no way to know how you'll react to certain medicines -- even ones your doctor prescribes. If you're of Asian descent, you may have a gene that raises your risk of SJS. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for this gene before you take carbamazepine.
If you've already had SJS, be careful so you don't get it again.
Tell your doctors you've had SJS.
Wear a medical alert bracelet.
Know the name of the medicine that caused your SJS. Avoid taking it or any drugs like it.
References
http://sjsupport.org/?page_id=451
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stevens-johnson-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20029623
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/stevens-johnson-syndrome
FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm363041.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2013.
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