Serum sickness

Serum sickness is a type of hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when the immune system reacts to medications or substances that contain proteins used to treat immune conditions. It's a reaction to the antiserum derived from an animal or another person.

Causes

Serum sickness can be caused by exposure to certain medications, especially those containing animal proteins. The most common medications that can cause serum sickness include:

• Antivenom treatments
• Certain antibiotics, such as penicillin and cephalosporins
• Medications containing murine (mouse) proteins
• Some types of monoclonal antibodies

Symptoms

Symptoms of serum sickness can vary from person to person, but they typically include:

• Rash or hives
• Fever
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Swelling (edema)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue

Diagnosis

Serum sickness is typically diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms and their recent exposure to a medication or substance that can cause the condition. There are no specific tests for serum sickness, but doctors may perform blood tests to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for serum sickness typically involves discontinuing the medication or substance that caused the reaction and managing symptoms. This can include:

• Antihistamines to reduce itching and rash
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce fever and pain
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

Prognosis

Most people with serum sickness recover fully once the medication or substance causing the reaction is discontinued. However, in some cases, serum sickness can lead to serious complications, such as anaphylaxis or glomerulonephritis.

See also

• Drug allergy
• Immune response
• Hypersensitivity

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