What is Serum Sickness?
Serum sickness is a reaction by the immune system against large amounts of foreign protein that have entered the bloodstream. A common source of such foreign protein is horse serum, an ingredient present in many venom antidotes (antivenoms) that are used to treat poisonous snake and spider bites and scorpion stings. Symptoms of serum sickness include fever, rash, and joint pains. Rarely, kidney damage and death can occur. Doctors treat serum sickness with antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine Some Trade Names BENADRYL NYTOL SOMINEX , and corticosteroids. Antivenoms that do not contain horse serum are unlikely to result in serum sickness.
