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.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Friday, Mr. Adewole
said the health condition known as Stephen 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.”
Dr. Olanrewaju Falodun a Senior Consultant Physician/
Dermatologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, shed
more light on the disease and the cases being handled
in his hospital.
“Stephens Johnson Syndrome, is an immune complex
mediated hypersensitivity reaction that typically
involves the skin and mucous membranes and was first
described in 1922 by Albert Stevens and Frank
Johnson,” Mr. Falodun said.
SJS is a rare and unpredictable reaction, and is also a
minor form of toxic epidermal necrolysis with less than
10 percent body surface area involvement, the
consultant said.
“SJS is a rare but serious and potentially life-
threatening contagious drug reaction. Incidence of SJS
is estimated between 1.1 and 7.1 cases per million per
year and is more prevalent in women than men.
Incidence in Europe is two per million per year” Mr.
Falodun said.
He confirmed that two cases were being treated at the
Abuja National Hospital, saying one patient already
passed while the other was still undergoing treatment.
He said the incidence was higher in Africa due to
extensive use of herbal preparations and the
prevalence of HIV.
He listed the symptoms of the SJS disease to include
fever, sore throat, running nose, fatigue, general aches
and pains, ulcers in mouth, genitals, anal regions as
well as conjunctivitis.
The health complications, Mr. Falodun said, are
pigmentation problems, skin scarring, scarred genitals,
joint pains, lung diseases, obstructive disorders and
eye complications, adhesions, ulcers, and blindness.
He however said the cause of the disease remained
unknown in a quarter to half of cases but that self-
medications appeared to be one of its causes.
He advised Nigerians to avoid misuse of drugs, while
individuals with previous drug reactions should always
inform healthcare practitioners so that in future they
would be able to predict who is at risk of the disease
using genetic screening.
Here are ways Mr. Falodun said SJS could be managed
by hospitals:
1. Cessation of suspected drugs
2. Hospital Admission: Preferably in burns unit/
intensive care
3. Nutritional and Fluid replacement
4. Temperature maintenance
5. Pain relief
6. Mouth-care