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What Is Reye’s Syndrome?

Reye’s syndrome is a disease the affects the organs and can be fatal. It is important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment immediately.

Reye Syndrome is a disease that affects all the organs of the body and can be fatal. It can be most lethal for the brain and the liver. Reye’s syndrome is usually considered an illness with two phases, as it is almost always associated with a previous infection, like the flu, a cold or chicken pox.

When Reye’s syndrome develops, it typically will occur when a person is just recovering from a viral illness.

If the disease is contracted, it causes a fatty liver with inflammation and severe encephalopathy, which is swelling of the brain. Early diagnosis is vital, as death or severe brain damage is possible without treatment. It has been shown that with early diagnosis and treatment, there is an excellent chance for recovery.

The cause of Reye’s syndrome is unclear. It has been linked to the use of aspirin; however, this may not be the only cause. There has been research that shows 90 to 95 percent of infected individuals had taken aspirin during a preceding viral illness. With this risk, it has been recommended that children and teenagers refrain from using aspirin. You should always consult a physician before giving your children medications during an illness.

Although this syndrome can affect all ages, both genders and any race, Reye’s syndrome usually occurs almost exclusively in children. There have been a few reported adult cases.

The syndrome mostly is reported in January, February and March, which is the highly susceptible flu season. However, it does not have to occur in that season. An epidemic of the flu or of chicken pox is usually followed by an increase in the number of Reye’s syndrome diagnoses.

Symptoms of Reye’s syndrome include persistent or recurrent vomiting, listlessness, personality changes such as irritability or combativeness, disorientation or confusion, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. If these symptoms are present during or soon after a viral illness, medical attention should be sought immediately.

To determine if an individual has contracted Reye’s syndrome, there are two liver function tests. These are vital, as your liver is one of the earliest affected organs.

If you do not seek medical attention, this disease can advance quickly. One of the most serious consequences is swelling of the brain. If the syndrome progresses rapidly, the patient may lapse into a coma leading to a poor prognosis for recovery with death common in as little as a few days from diagnosis. When diagnosis and treatment is early, the chances of recovery are excellent with little to no side effects.