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betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a short-term inflammation of certain blood vessels (vasculitis) thought to be triggered by a malfunction of the immune system.
  • Symptoms include a purple spotted skin rash, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhoea.
  • Children (particularly boys) are most commonly affected, although the condition can develop in adults too.
  • In most cases, the symptoms disappear by themselves within one to four weeks.

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Reviewed on: 31-08-2012