‘Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is not a contagious’

The Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, has said that Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is not a contagious disease but an adverse reaction to some drugs.

In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Relations in Lagos on Monday, Mrs. ‘Boade Akinola, the ministry said that the syndrome only occurs in individuals who have adverse reactions to some medication.

She stated the SJS could not be described as a disease outbreak since it was not infectious.

Akinola said, “We only wanted to create awareness on the impact of self-medication and the fact that people could suffer deadly adverse reactions when they take drugs that are not recommended by a qualified health personnel.

“Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is not a new disease. It is a rare disease that could occur following drug use.”

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had alerted Nigerians to the danger of self-medication after a patient died of the disease in Abuja last week.

Adewole added that another person affected by the disease was responding to treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.

PUNCH.