Serum disease is an allergic, systemic reaction to the administered parenteral xenosis serum - primarily anti-tetanus or anti-diphtheria serum, but not only. What are the other causes of serum sickness? How do I recognize my symptoms? What is the treatment?

Serum sicknessis a systemicallergic reactionthat occurs after the introduction into the body (parenterally) of a protein of a foreign species, e.g. foreign serum , i.e. a preparation containing immune bodies, obtained from the blood plasma of people immune to a given disease.

As a result of contact with this type of allergen, the body releases antigen-antibody complexes - they damage the endothelium of the vessel and cause local inflammatory changes.

Serum sickness - causes

The development of serum sickness can be caused, among others, by :

  • anti-tetanus serum
  • diphtheria serum
  • anti-rabies serum
  • snake venom serum

Medications, most often antibiotics, can also be the cause of the abnormal reaction of the immune system.

Serum sickness: symptoms

The symptoms of serum sickness appear gradually, 7-17 days after injecting serum or taking the drug.

There is swelling and redness at the site of serum injection 1-3 days before the onset of the actual symptoms of serous disease.

Then the body temperature rises and the patient complains of feeling unwell.

Then a typical symptom of an allergic reaction, hives, and then:

  • lymph nodes enlargement
  • muscle aches
  • joint swelling

Abdominal pain and diarrhea sometimes appear.

Serum sickness - diagnosis

If a serum sickness is suspected, blood tests are performed that show:

  • mediocre leukocytosis
  • eosinophilia
  • OB acceleration
  • albuminuria

In addition, the doctor should examine the lymph nodes, which in patients are usually enlarged and sensitive to touch.

Serum sickness - treatment

In the treatment of serum sickness, the following are used:

  • adrenaline (intradermally)
  • antihistamines(accelerate the disappearance of urticaria, reduce rash and itching)
  • exceptionally - adrenal cortex steroids

Serum sickness - complications

In rare cases, serum sickness can lead to serious complications, such as:

  • glomerulonephritis
  • optic neuritis
  • generalized vasculitis

Category:

Allergies