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Serum sickness - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • General ill feeling
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Joint pain
  • Rash
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Note: Symptoms usually do not develop until 7 - 21 days after the first dose of antiserum or exposure to the medication. However, some people may develop symptoms in 1 - 3 days if they have previously been exposed to the substance.

Signs and tests:

The lymph nodes may be enlarged and tender to the touch. The urine may contain blood or protein. Blood tests may show immune complexes or signs of blood vessel inflammation.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/2/2010
  • Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Salmon JE. Mechanisms of immune mediated tissue injury. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 44.

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