What is serum sickness?

Serum sickness is an immune complex-mediated disorder that can develop in response to the administration of foreign protein, such as horse serum or antivenom. Clinical manifestations include fever, rash, urticaria, arthralgia, myalgia, and lymphadenopathy. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may occur. Renal involvement, such as glomerulonephritis, can occur in severe cases.

*Serum sickness* occurs about 10-14 days after the initial administration of the foreign protein and resolves within a few days to weeks.

Treatment for *serum sickness* is supportive and may include anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids. In severe cases, plasma exchange may be necessary to remove the circulating immune complexes.