SERUM SICKNESS |
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DESCRIPTIONSerum sickness is an allergic reaction usually appearing 7 to 12 days (sometimes
much sooner) after giving or taking a foreign serum (such as antivenom following snakebites or horse serum antitoxins) or any of a number of drugs.
Appropriate health care includes:
Self-care after diagnosis.
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Hives.
Skin rash.
Joint pains, including the jaw.
Swollen lymph glands.
Enlarged spleen.
Peripheral neuritis.
CAUSES
Allergic reaction to a foreign substance in the body.
RISK FACTORS
Positive skin test of the foreign serum.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCETo avoid the need for tetanus antitoxin (a horse serum used to protect against tetanus), make sure your children (and the entire family) have had basic immunizations with tetanus toxoid, and boosters as required. This way, your child will never need tetanus antitoxin.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSPrecipitous drop in the child's blood pressure.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Complete cure within 1 to 2 weeks.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREBed rest if the child's joints are painful.
MEDICATION
Your physician may prescribe antihistamines, salicylates, or corticosteroids.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child can resume normal activity as soon as the condition and sense of well-being will allow.
DIET & FLUIDS
No restriction.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?When appetite has returned and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of serum sickness.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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