Medical Description

First described in 1922, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity disorder that may be caused by many drugs, viral infections, and malignancies. It is now also known as erythema multiforme major.

Source: Steven J. Parillo and Catherine Parillo, “Stevens-Johnson Syndrome,” eMedicine, May 16, 2006, accessed January 8, 2007.

Symptoms

• symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection
• vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration
• fever
• Mucocutaneous lesions (blisters and rashes) especially around the lips, throat and face or on the trunk, which may become bulbous and later rupture
• Patients may not be able to eat or drink due to the severe blistering of the lips and other mucous membranes
• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• Hypotension (extremely low blood pressure)
• Epistaxis (bleeding from the nose)
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the white part of the eye)
• Seizures, coma

General Information

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is an allergic syndrome most often caused by viral infection or by certain drugs that causes one’s immune system to turn on itself, in effect burning the patient from the inside out. Sufferers of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome develop severe blisters on their skin and mucous membranes. Symptoms usually begin as a blistering of the lips and mouth that spreads to the throat, tongue, and other parts of the body. The blisters sometimes become so extensive that they destroy internal organs, leading to death. Up to 15 percent of patients affected with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome will die.

Severe cases require the intervention of a burn specialist and plastic surgery. Lesions can become bulbous, rupture and permanently scar victims of SJS.

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