Stevens-Johnson syndrome [Albert M. Stevens, American pediatrician, 1884–1945; F.C. Johnson, American physician, 1894–1934] , a serious, sometimes fatal inflammatory disease affecting children and young adults. It is characterized by the acute onset of fever; bullae on the skin; and ulcers on the mucous membranes of the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passage, and genitalia. Other complications are pneumonia, pain in the joints, prostration, and perforation of the cornea. It may be an allergic reaction to certain drugs, or it may follow pregnancy, infection by herpesvirus I, or other infection. It is seen rarely in association with malignancy or radiation therapy. Treatment includes bed rest, antibiotics for pneumonia, glucocorticoids, analgesics, mouthwashes, and sedatives. See also erythema multiforme.
