Serum sickness

Other than immediate allergic reactions, symptoms of the occur Serum sickness with a time delay. If necessary, complaints should be treated medically.

What is Serum Sickness?

In the Serum sickness it is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction of the body's own defenses. In the context of serum sickness, this immune reaction is primarily directed against foreign proteins that get into the organism via the bloodstream (primarily with the help of injections or syringes).

The serum sickness usually only occurs after the body has been exposed to a corresponding protein several times. More rarely, the delayed immune reaction can set in after a single protein intake. Hypersensitivity reactions in the context of serum sickness are called delayed, because symptoms usually only appear approx. 7-14 days after the organism is exposed to a protein.

Typical symptoms that may be associated with serum sickness include joint pain, rashes, swelling of the lymph nodes, pain in the joints, and a sudden fever.

causes

Substances that have a Serum sickness can cause, for example, antisera and vaccine sera. Anti-vaccine and vaccine serums, as a possible cause of serum sickness, are processed antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system) that are obtained from the blood of humans or mammals.

Antisera specifically refers to substances that are used to combat poisoning. In contrast, vaccine serums are used for so-called passive vaccination (the administration of special antibodies). If the body reacts to the administration of the corresponding proteins with an undesirable antibody formation, serum sickness occurs:

The body's own immune reactions cause continuous changes in vessels and / or other body structures, which finally manifest themselves in symptoms typical of the disease after a few days.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Serum sickness manifests itself with a variety of symptoms, which usually appear within a few days. Dermatological symptoms can occur earlier after an injection of foreign proteins. The symptoms appear on average between the sixth and eleventh day after the injection. In extreme cases, it may take more than a month for symptoms to develop.

There may be redness, swelling, itching, and swelling of the lymph nodes at the injection site. These symptoms can be accompanied by pain. Usually there is a fever and general symptoms. Joint pain and swollen lymph nodes occur. The circulation can be weakened and a drop in blood pressure follows. In extreme cases, the serum sickness can lead to shock.

Furthermore, inflammation of various parts of the body can occur. This makes it possible for meningitis to develop. Inflammation can also affect the kidneys or small intestine. It can also lead to inflammation of the serous membranes. These sheath the internal organs and can be structurally weakened by symptoms of inflammation and cause pain.

Most symptoms can resolve on their own within a few days. Not all serum sickness sufferers develop many or dangerous symptoms.

Diagnosis & course

Medical suspicion of a present Serum sickness is often based initially on characteristic symptoms of a person affected. The attending physician then usually receives further diagnostic information in the context of a patient consultation (here, for example, the person concerned reports on the onset of corresponding symptoms and their medical history).

Often, in the next step, other diseases that have symptoms similar to those of serum sickness must be checked or excluded; these include measles and scarlet fever (infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria).

The course of the serum sickness depends, among other things, on the individual symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms associated with serum sickness subside on their own after a few days. If there is no renewed confrontation of the organism with the sera causing the disease, then there are usually no renewed symptoms.

Complications

The serum sickness usually heals on its own within 14 days. Complications rarely occur.However, the severity of the immune reaction depends on the type and amount of antigen used. Usually, only fever, swelling of the lymph nodes and itching of the skin occur within 4 to 21 days after contact with the antigen such as serum, insect bite or medication.

In rarer cases, however, complications such as meningitis (meningitis), kidney infections (nephritis) or intestinal inflammation (enteritis) are possible. These are not bacterial, but occur as part of immune reactions. Their course depends on the severity of the immunological processes.

If the course is particularly severe, it can even lead to life-threatening circulatory shock. If circulatory shock occurs, urgent emergency medical assistance is required to end the life-threatening condition. Blood pressure drops very sharply during the shock. In addition, cold sweats, cyanosis and a feeling of thirst occur. This leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the body and especially to the brain.

Sudden kidney failure can also occur. The main focus in treating shock must be to stabilize blood pressure. In the vast majority of cases, however, treatment for serum sickness is not necessary because the symptoms will go away on their own. However, immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids must be given in particularly severe cases of illness.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you experience joint pain, rash, or fever symptoms, the underlying cause may be serum sickness. Medical advice is required when the typical symptoms appear and do not go away on their own. If the blood pressure drops rapidly, it is best to consult a doctor immediately. Shock reactions and swelling of the lymph nodes are typical warning signs that require clarification. Serum sickness occurs in connection with an immune reaction. If symptoms occur after taking certain medicines containing cefaclor, amoxicillin, or sulfonamides, inform your doctor.

People with immunodeficiency or chronic diseases are among the risk groups. Elderly people, children and pregnant women should also consult a doctor if unusual fever symptoms or pain occur that impair well-being. In addition to the family doctor, an internist or an immunologist can be consulted. Further contacts are the medical emergency service or, in the case of intensive complaints, the emergency doctor. Children are best presented to the pediatrician or taken directly to the nearest hospital.

Treatment & Therapy

Because the symptoms of the Serum sickness medical treatment is not necessary in many cases.

However, if corresponding complaints cause a high level of suffering in the patient and if alternative causes of the symptoms can be diagnosed, treatment steps can be used that have a soothing effect. Antihistamines or corticosteroids, for example, serve to treat symptoms of this kind in the presence of serum sickness. Cortisone, which belongs to the corticosteroids, is able, among other things, to influence processes of the immune system and in this way to inhibit the body's own hypersensitivity reactions in the context of serum sickness.

So-called antihistamines weaken the body's own production and / or the effectiveness of histamines in the fight against symptoms of serum sickness - histamines in turn are involved in the development of inflammatory reactions. As a result, antihistamines can slow down inflammatory processes and the associated symptoms in the context of serum sickness.

In the case of very severe courses of the serum sickness, a so-called plasmapheresis may also be necessary in rare cases. This is an exchange of the blood plasma of an affected patient; the body's own blood plasma is replaced, for example, by plasma concentrates from healthy plasma donors.

You can find your medication here

prevention

Does a person know which serums the Serum sickness cause, avoiding injecting appropriate substances usually prevents an outbreak of disease. Since serum sickness usually only occurs in response to foreign sera, symptoms of the disease can often be prevented, for example, by using exclusively human (native or human) serum preparations when there is a need for therapy or vaccination.

Aftercare

The person affected should make sure that they support their immune system on a daily basis. This includes a healthy and balanced diet and sufficient exercise. Good sleep hygiene is also important. The body's immune system can be strengthened by eating a diet rich in vitamins while avoiding alcohol and nicotine.

When staying in rooms that are closed, regular ventilation is indicated. It is also very important to be outdoors - ideally several hours a day. In this way the organism can absorb the oxygen it needs. Sports activities also help to strengthen the body. It is essential for recovery to avoid emotional stress and physical overload.

Everyday life should be optimized in such a way that phases that are characterized by intense hectic and physical exertion are reduced to a minimum. A break should be taken at the first signs of impairment. If the person concerned cannot achieve a cure with these measures, it is nevertheless possible for them to strengthen their general well-being and to do a lot to improve their quality of life.

The day and night rhythms must be adapted to the individual needs of the body. Continuous daily routines are able to alleviate existing complaints. Consultation with a doctor appears essential at the first signs of inflammation or deterioration in health.

You can do that yourself

In everyday life, those affected should make sure that they support their immune system on a daily basis. This can be done through a healthy and balanced diet, adequate exercise and good sleep hygiene. The body's own defense system is strengthened as soon as the person concerned eats a diet rich in vitamins and at the same time refrains from consuming harmful substances such as alcohol and nicotine.

When staying in closed rooms, these must be ventilated regularly. Staying outdoors should take place for several hours every day so that the organism can absorb sufficient oxygen. Sports activities also help to strengthen the body. Emotional stress and physical overload should be avoided. Everyday life is to be optimized in such a way that phases of intense hectic or physical exertion are reduced. As soon as there are the first signs of impairment, sufficient rest is necessary and a break is to be taken.

Even though the person affected cannot achieve a cure with self-help measures, they can nevertheless strengthen a general sense of well-being and thus contribute a lot to improving their quality of life. The rhythms of day and night must be adapted to the needs of the body. Regular daily routines help to alleviate existing complaints. In the event of the first inflammation or deterioration in health, it is essential to work with a doctor.