What is s- Syndrome ?

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What is s- Syndrome ?

s- Syndrome is a rare inflammatory skin disorder that can be

life-threatening.

s- Syndrome can occur at any age. The majority of cases occur

between ages 20 and 40; one-fifth of all cases occur in people under age 20.

It is estimated that out of every million Americans, three to eight people

are hospitalized each year due to s- Syndrome and related

conditions.

Causes

In up to half of all cases of s- Syndrome, doctors cannot

determine the cause. The most common causes are allergic reactions to

medications, infections and certain illnesses.

Almost any medication, including over-the-counter drugs, may trigger

s- Syndrome. Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

medications (NSAIDs) and anticonvulsants are often associated with

s- Syndrome. Twelve cases of s- have been reported

in Arava patients.

s- Symptoms

Symptoms of s- Syndrome may start gradually or suddenly and

include one or more of the following:

* Skin rash (usually on the legs, arms, hands or feet)

* Fever

* Extreme fatigue and joint pains

* Vision abnormalities (bloodshot eyes, eye pain, burning and itching)

* Respiratory infection

* Vomiting or diarrhea

Symptoms may become severe enough to require hospitalization.

These symptoms are often followed by:

* Blistering lesions, usually purple or red, and " target lesions " (a red

centered blister, with a surrounding white ring, and another surrounding red

ring)

* Inflammation of the mucous membranes

Doctors will do a skin biopsy (testing of a small skin sample) to diagnose

s- syndrome.

Prognosis

The treatment of severe symptoms may include the use of antibiotics to

control skin infections, treatment in a burn-care unit, and steroids to

control inflammation.

In some cases, permanent skin damage and scarring occur. Lesions on internal

organs can cause serious inflammation of the lungs, heart and kidneys. Up to

27 percent of those affected with s- Syndrome or related

illnesses incur long-term eye damage or vision loss. Sadly, up to 15 percent

of patients with severe s- Syndrome die from this condition.