Stevens-Johnson syndrome after immunization with smallpox, anthrax, and tetanus vaccines
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Published on: January 20, 2019
Ashish Chopra1, Lisa A Drage, Eric M Hanson
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Abstract:
A 19-year-old male military recruit developed erythema multiforme 20 days after receiving a triad of vaccinations: smallpox (vaccinia virus), anthrax, and tetanus. Over the course of a few days, the erythema multiforme evolved into Stevens-Johnson syndrome, associated with widespread bullae, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and fever. After 7 days of conservative management, the patient's signs and symptoms improved. This case serves as a timely reminder of a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of smallpox vaccination.
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