Reye's Syndrome

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Reye's (rise) syndrome (sin-drum) (RS) is an illness that is most commonly seen in children. RS usually occurs between the ages of 3 and 12 years, but can occur at any age. It is a rare illness and can become very serious if it is not treated right away. If RS is not treated, some children can have brain damage and even die. The illness can affect all organs in the body, but is most harmful to the liver and brain.

Causes: The exact cause of RS is not known. RS usually follows a viral infection, such as a cold, the flu, or chickenpox. It can occur if a child takes aspirin during a viral infection. A child should never take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin if he has a viral infection. Always ask your caregiver before giving your child aspirin or medicines containing aspirin.

Signs and Symptoms: The signs and symptoms of RS usually appear when a child begins recovering from a viral illness. Vomiting (throwing up) that suddenly starts, is usually the first sign. During this time a child may become very sleepy, fussy, or angry. A child may not speak clearly and may act different or confused. An infant (under 1 years old) may have diarrhea instead of vomiting and breathe very fast.

Care: A child with RS is usually put in the hospital to be carefully watched. There is no cure for RS, but it can be treated. There is not a specific treatment given to a child to treat RS. Because of this, your child's treatment will depend on how sick your child is.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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