New Killer Disease: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Is Now In Town

The Federal Minister of Health, Issac Adewole, has revealed that there is a new disease in Nigeria which has killed a Nigerian while another is currently undergoing treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Friday, Professor Adewole said the health condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) was an unusual allergic reactions in Nigeria and some parts of Europe.

He said, “We have to find a means to communicate with Nigerians,so they should all be aware of this dangerous disease and it is the sole business of government to enlighten the society by trying to increase their awareness, knowledge and to improve their quality way of life.”

That is why I took my time to do some researches on it and enlighten people.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SJS

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and serious disorder of your skin and mucous membranes. It’s usually a reaction to a medication or an infection. Often, Stevens-Johnson syndrome begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds.

Most often, it’s a severe reaction to a medicine you’ve taken. It causes your skin to blister and peel off. Blisters also form inside your body, making it hard to eat, swallow, even pee.

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.

HISTORY

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is named for Albert Mason Stevens and Frank Chambliss Johnson, American pediatricians who jointly published a description of the disorder in the American Journal of Diseases of Children in 1922

SYMPTOMS OF SJS

Stevens-Johnson syndrome symptoms include:

• Facial swelling
• Tongue swelling
• Skin pain
• A red or purple skin rash that spreads within hours to days
• Blisters on your skin and the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
• Shedding of your skin

If you have Stevens-Johnson syndrome, several days before the rash develops you may experience:

• Fever
• Sore mouth and throat
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Burning eyes

CAUSES OF SJS

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and unpredictable reaction. Your doctor may not be able to identify its exact cause, but usually the condition is triggered by a medication or an infection. Genetics also causes it (that is it can be inherited from parents).

Medication and therapy causes

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

• HIV or other problems with your immune system
• Had SJS before
• Certain genes you inherit from your parents
• Radiation treatments
•  Hepatitis
• Herpes (herpes simplex or herpes zoster)
• Pneumonia

PREVENTING SJS

• Telling your doctors you’ve had SJS.
• Know the name of the medicine that caused your SJS. Avoid taking it or any drugs like it again.

 IMAGES OF PEOPLE THAT CONTACTED THE DISEASE

Remember : Always stay healthy. Health is wealth.
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