For 16-year-old Izzy McKinney, a course of treatment with the antibiotic Bactrim first led to fevers and a bad rash.

But that was just the beginning.

What no one realized was that Izzy was suffering from a severe case of D.R.E.S.S: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms.

This introductory episode tells the tragic story of how DRESS syndrome took Izzy's life, leaving behind a devastated family. 

It is a cautionary tale that illustrates the importance of understanding and making a prompt diagnosis of this potentially fatal condition.

Interviewed: Tasha Tolliver, Izzy’s Mother, (President, Executive Director the DRESS Syndrome Foundation), July,  2019 in Richmond, VA.

Making Drugs Safer: Izzy’s Story – In-Depth Physician Interview: https://www.ivanhoe.com/interview/making-drugs-safer-izzys-story-depth-doctor-interview/
https://www.ksat.com/health/2017/07/14/making-drugs-safer-izzys-story/
Medical Paper Highlighting Izzy's Case -- HHV-6 encoded small non-coding RNAs define an intermediate and early stage in viral reactivation: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-018-0064-5
The DRESS Syndrome Foundation:
https://www.dresssyndromefoundation.org

Medication-induced drug disorders have been evident for nearly a century and labeled with a variety of names. French dermatologist Dr. Vincent Descamps, who has been at the forefront of DRESS syndrome since the mid-1990s, joins us to review this historically misunderstood and under-reported illness. We'll also discuss the history of how an international team of researchers and physicians identified the clinical condition known as DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms). 

Interview: Dr. Vincent Descamps (Professor of Dermatology at the Bichat Claude Bernard Hospital, University Denis Diderot in Paris, France) June, 2019 in Quebec, Canada.

PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES:

DRESS syndrome: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cac731_643993b7381f4c85b7d4b62dce42087b.pdf
Diagnosis of DRESS (Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) in the Intensive Care Unit: Essential But Challenging: https://journals.lww.com/shockjournal/Fulltext/2013/11000/Diagnosis_of_DRESS__Drug_Reaction_With.14.aspx
French dermatologists call for antiviral therapy in DRESS: https://hhv-6foundation.org/drug-hypersensitivity/french-dermatologists-call-for-antiviral-therapy-in-dress
Saliva polymerase chain reaction assay for detection and follow-up of herpesvirus reactivation in patients with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23426332/
Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in patients receiving strontium ranelatez: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23361875/
Human herpesvirus 6 involvement in paediatric drug hypersensitivity syndrome: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.13592
The DRESS Syndrome: A Literature Review: https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(11)00258-0/fulltext
Chapter 11 - HHV-6A and HHV-6B in Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome/Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444627032000112
Service de Dermatologie/Hôpital Bichat - Claude-Bernard: https://www.aphp.fr/service/service-16-011
Chronic persistent HHV‐6B infection after sulfasalazine‐induced DRESS with demonstration of HHV‐6 encoded small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in Crohn’s‐like colitis: Case report: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccr3.3680#.X90Agxjv1sI.twitter

Hannah's mother and long-time DRESS advocate, Nancy Szakacsy tells of her daughter's struggle against a fatal case of DRESS syndrome that was triggered by the antibiotic Minocycline.

The devastation of losing Hannah, and the obvious lack of information and resources for families like hers inspired Nancy to write a book about her daughter's illness. She now leads what has become the largest network of support for those affected by DRESS, and is currently Vice-President of the DRESS Syndrome Foundation where her tireless work continues.

Interview: Nancy Szakacsy, Hannah’s mother, (Author, “Hannah Was Here. D.R.E.S.S an Alarm That Must Be Heard” and Vice President of the DRESS Syndrome Foundation). August 2019, in Bethesda, MD

RESOURCES:

Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/D.R.E.S.S.SyndromeCommunity
Hannah Was Here: D.R.E.S.S. an alarm that must be heard: https://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Was-Here-D-R-S-S/dp/1496923138
DRESS Syndrome Foundation: https://www.dresssyndromefoundation.org