What is HSP?

In my short time experiencing and researching HSP, this is what I've learned. It is an autoimmune disorder with symptoms that are associated with an inflammatory disease. The symptoms of HSP develop as a result of the immune system reacting to something. The most common causes for this reaction are...

• infections
• medication
• insect bites
• cold weather
• some vaccinations
• chemicals

It is difficult sometimes to determine the exact cause. It is possible that my son's reaction was due to the strep throat virus that his brother had a couple months earlier. Or it could have been an insect bite since it is spring and he is playing outside more.  There is no genetic connection and it is not contagious. There is no cure or treatment for HSP. However, the symptoms associated with it can be treated. It is also a condition that can not be prevented. It is most common in boys ages 2-11, however it affects people of all ages. Once the symptoms of HSP have presented themselves, it can come back later as a reaction to one of the causes listed above. In all cases I have read, each time it returns, the symptoms are less severe.

The symptoms of HSP can be the scariest part of the disease.

• Rash In ALL cases, the first sign is a rash that develops on the legs, usually below the knees. The rash begins looking like some allergic reaction or hives. This rash is actually blood vessels that have become inflamed. Kind of like a bruise your body is giving itself. This same inflammation is happening in the intestines and kidneys as well.
• Swelling and pain in the joints This is actually arthritis. It is not a permanent condition and does not present any permanent problems commonly associated with long term arthritis sufferers. The arthritis goes away along with the other symptoms in a matter of weeks.
• Abdominal pain Not all patients will have abdominal pain. The severity of the pain is important to monitor closely. Patients may have nausea, vomiting, and/or bloody stool.

The above symptoms are the 3 that will be seen in the majority of HSP patients. Much information is on the Internet that provides the more serious complications that can develop with HSP. While it is important to monitor the patient to prevent these from developing and to catch it early, it generally occurs in a small percentage of patients. HSP is a renal condition. This means that one serious complication is the development of kidney problems. All patients that have been diagnosed with HSP will need to have their urine checked regularly for months following the first outbreak. This does not mean that the patient has kidney problems. Blood in the urine is a symptom to monitor most carefully. This could be a sign that the kidneys are not functioning properly. The reason patients need to have urine checked regularly is because there can be urinary blood that is not visible except under a microscope. Bowel obstruction is another complication of HSP. Again, this is rare and occurs only in a small percentage of patients.

So, why did I post this information? Because the initial symptoms of HSP are extremely scary for a parent. As you can see in earlier posts, my son is suffering from joint pain, sometimes unable to walk, and the rash itself is very intimidating! I don't know what tomorrow, next week or next month will look like for him. It may get worse before it gets better. But there is hope! I know the odds are in his favor of recovering from this quickly and without any serious complications. My hope is that our experience can provide hope and comfort to other families that find themselves in this situation. If you are reading this because you know our family, thank you for walking through this storm with us. Hopefully your new knowledge of HSP can help others too.