Teen Survives Severe Case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

December 19, 2010, 1:30PM. By Heidi Turner

Oxford, United KingdomA teenager has survived one of the most serious cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) ever, but the effects of the SJS could be with her permanently. Although she is lucky to have survived the Stevens Johnson Syndrome skin disease, the teen may never regain her sight—all because she was trying to protect herself from the flu.

The teen, Samantha Millard, developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking Tamiflu to prevent swine flu. According to The Oxford Times (12/16/10), Millard took three tablets of Tamiflu and within 72 hours developed the life-threatening condition. Millard's case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome eventually developed into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS), a more severe form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

During Millard's ordeal she was on life support and lost the top layer of her skin. She also lost her vision, which has not yet come back, and had to learn to walk again. Since she began recovering, Millard has had two eye operations, but doctors are not sure if she will ever regain her sight.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an adverse reaction to medication that most people do not know exists until they or a loved one develops it. It can be caused by almost any medication but is often associated with painkillers and with antibiotics. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently linked an experimental thyroid cancer drug, Vandetanib, to an increased risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Initial symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include fever, sore throat and headache. In just a few days—in severe cases, a few hours—patients can develop skin lesions and blisters over most or all of their body. Many patients lose the top layer of their skin. Not everyone survives their Stevens Johnson Syndrome ordeal, and those who do often face months, if not years, of recovery.

Salient-News (12/06/10) recounts the story of a young girl, now nine years old, who has been recovering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome for two years. She initially developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking penicillin for tonsillitis.

Two years after she developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the young girl is 70 percent recovered, but must wear sunglasses all the time and has scarring on her lungs. The young girl may require medications for the rest of her life and could require further surgeries.