BULLETIN:

Reye's Syndrome is a very serious disease. Children and adults develop Reye's Syndrome as they are getting over a viral illness, such as the flu or chicken pox. Reye's Syndrome usually affects people from infancy through young adulthood; however, no age group is immune. Although Reye's generally occurs when someone is recovering from a viral illness, it can develop three to five days after the onset of the illness. The disease targets the liver and brain. Reye's Syndrome is non-contagious, and too often is misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, poisoning, drug overdose, or sudden infant death.

Early diagnosis is crucial. Following a viral illness, individuals should be watched during the next two to three weeks for the following symptoms:

Reye's syndrome should be suspected in anyone who vomits repeatedly. Call your doctor immediately if these symptoms develop. Voice your concern about Reye's Syndrome. If your physician is unavailable, take the person to an Emergency Room promptly. Two liver function tests (SGOT, SGPT) can be done to determine the possibility of Reye's Syndrome. There is a 90% chance of recovery when the syndrome is treated in its earliest stages by physicians and nurses experienced in the treatment of Reye's.

Studies have shown that using aspirin or aspirin containing medications to treat the symptoms of viral illnesses increases the chance of developing Reye's Syndrome. If you or a member of your family have a viral illness, do not use aspirin or aspirin containing medications. In fact, you should consult your physician before you take any drugs to treat any viral illness such as the flu or chicken pox, particularly aspirin or anti-nausea.

The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation (NRSF), the U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be taken by anyone under 19 years of age during fever-causing illnesses.

Aspirin is a part of the salicylate family of medicines. Another name for aspirin is acetylsalicylate; some drug labels may use the words acetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, salicylate, etc., instead of the word aspirin. Currently, there is no conclusive data as to whether other forms of salicylates are associated with the development of Reye's Syndrome. Until further research has answered this question, the NRSF recommends that products containing any of these substances not be taken during episodes of viral infections.

The NRSF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization with affiliates located in 44 states. The NRSF has pioneered the movement to disseminate knowledge about the disease in an effort to aid in early diagnosis and also provides funds for research into the cause, cure, care, treatment, and prevention of Reye's Syndrome.

What Is Reye's Syndrome?

Reye's Syndrome is a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain. Reye's Syndrome is a two-phase illness because it is almost always associated with a previous viral infection, such as influenza, cold, or chicken pox. Scientists do know that Reye's Syndrome is not contagious and the cause is unknown. Reye's Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or psychiatric illness.

Reye's Syndrome tends to appear with greatest frequency during January, February, and March when influenza is most common. Cases are reported in every month of the year. An epidemic of flu or chicken pox is commonly followed by an increase in the number of cases of Reye's Syndrome.

When Reye's Syndrome develops, it typically occurs when a person is beginning to recover from a viral illness. Abnormal accumulations of fat begin to develop in the liver and other organs of the body, along with a severe increase of pressure in the brain. Unless diagnosed and treated successfully, death is common, often within a few days. A person's life depends upon early diagnosis. Statistics indicate an excellent chance of recovery when Reye's Syndrome is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. The later the diagnosis and treatment, the more severely reduced are chances for successful recovery and survival.

Stages of Reye's Syndrome:

• Stage I:
  Persistent or continuous vomiting
  Signs of brain dysfunction:
  Listlessness
  Loss of pep and energy
  Drowsiness
  

• Stage II:
  Personality changes:
  Irritability
  Aggressive behavior
  Disorientation:
  Confusion
  Irrational behavior
  Combative
  Delirium, convulsions, coma

Reye's Syndrome should be suspected in a person if this pattern or symptoms appear during or, most commonly, after a viral illness. Not all of the symptoms have to occur, nor do they have to be displayed in this order. Fever is not usually present. Many diseases have symptoms in common. Physicians and medical staff in emergency rooms who have not had experience in treating Reye's Syndrome may misdiagnose the disease. The symptoms of Reye's Syndrome in infants do not follow a typical pattern. For example, vomiting may be replaced with diarrhea, and they may display irregular breathing.