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Medical Author:

Timothy J. Rupp, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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These disorders pose a serious risk for death if they do not get treated. Early treatment and care in a hospital or intensive care unit greatly increases the chance of survival.

• Pemphigus vulgaris: Despite early treatment, 5%-15% of people with PV will die. Delay in starting treatment makes death more likely. Many people require long-term steroid use to control the disease.
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome: Those with SJS who receive treatment have a 90% chance of survival.
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis: Even with treatment, 30%-50% of people with TEN have a very poor outlook and may die.
• Toxic shock syndrome: With medical treatment, 92%-95% of people will recover.
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: SSSS has the most favorable chance of recovery. Only a small percentage of cases result in death.

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