Number 84 January 2019 Reye Syndrome What is Reye Syndrome? Diarrhea and rapid breathing in infants and Reye Syndrome is a rare disease that mainly toddlers affects children and teenagers when they have, Persistent vomiting in children and teenagers or recently had, a viral infection such as Changes in personality or behaviour such as chickenpox or influenza. Reye Syndrome confusion, irritability or aggression. Reye causes swelling of the liver and brain, and it Syndrome may also cause strange behavior can also cause death. such as staring and slurred speech How can I prevent Reye Syndrome? Seizures and comas The use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Loss of consciousness Aspirin®) has been strongly linked to Reye Syndrome. Do not give ASA or Aspirin® to Reye Syndrome occurs 3 to 7 days after the anyone under 18 years of age to manage beginning of an infection or illness caused by a symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle virus, or during recovery from the infection or aches. illness. Reye Syndrome can be misdiagnosed as swelling of the brain, also known as Instead, use acetaminophen for anyone under encephalitis or swelling of the lining of the 18 years of age. Examples of medications with brain (meningitis), diabetes, drug overdose, acetaminophen are Tylenol®, Tempra® and poisoning, sudden infant death syndrome Atasol®. (SIDS) or a psychiatric illness. You can also use ibuprofen for relief of What is the treatment? symptoms in children under 18 years of age. Early diagnosis and treatment in a hospital can Examples of ibuprofen include Advil® and save your child’s life. Treatment includes Motrin®. Do not use products containing reducing brain swelling, preventing damage to ibuprofen in children under 6 months of age the liver and other organs and monitoring the without first talking to your health care heart. provider. Most people recover completely, but Reye Always use the dosage indicated in the product Syndrome can cause permanent brain damage instructions or as recommended by your health or death. care provider. What are the symptoms of Reye Syndrome? Symptoms of Reye Syndrome include: Unusual sleepiness or lack of energy For more HealthLinkBC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles or your local public health unit. For non- emergency health information and advice in B.C. visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 (toll-free). For the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. .