A 13-year-old girl, Kristen Viars, is currently recovering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) after developing the potentially deadly skin disease during a class trip to Washington, D.C.

Viars is currently recuperating at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington after she developed SJS when she took Bactrim for an infection she had picked up from a scratch in her leg. SJS has been discovered to be a side effect of taking various medications like Bactrim, Tylenol, Children’s Motrin and Children’s Tylenol. Viars was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital after a rash developed on the girl’s body and blisters formed in her throat. The girl’s mother, Crystal Viars, says that Kristen will be able to go home in a week.

Also according to the girl’s mother, doctors diagnosed her daughter with SJS almost immediately after the girl arrived at the emergency room of a hospital on Friday, April 15. It was the ER physician that immediately sent Kristen to the Children’s National Medical Center with her mother’s permission.

“He said an examination and tests indicated she had Stevens-Johnson Syndrome caused by a reaction to Bactrim,” Crystal Viars said. “I had never heard of it. He said they weren’t able to take care of her there and asked about sending her to the children’s hospital.”

Mrs. Viars said that her daughter called from Washington to tell her that she wasn’t feeling well. She said that she had a sore throat. Mrs. Viars allowed the school nurse to give the girl Benadryl because they thought she had allergies. By Friday, the girl developed a rash on her neck and the blisters in her mouth.

“Mrs. James, the principal, stayed on the bus with Kristen while the other kids toured,” Mrs. Viars said. “She sent me a picture message of Kristen. That’s when I saw the rash on her face and neck. I told her to take her to the ER.”

If you or your child have developed SJS as a result of taking Bactrim, contract attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting SJS lawsuits and will work hard to help you recover any money that you may be entitled to.