zkwan

The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction describes the release of endotoxin when large numbers of organisms are killed by antibiotics. It is seen in 50% of patients with primary syphilis and about 90% of patients with secondary syphilis. It is not a dose related phenomenon; thus giving a smaller dose is of no value. It occurs about 8 hours after the first injection and usually consists of mild fever, malaise and headache lasting a few hours. Rarely, in quarternary syphilis, a severe reaction can occur, prednisolone is therefore...

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