Reye’s syndrome is a neurological condition that affects children and adolescents recovering from a viral infection, often after taking aspirin. It can be fatal and symptoms include lethargy, confusion, seizures, and vomiting. Avoid giving aspirin to children recovering from a virus to minimize the risk of developing the disease.
Reye’s syndrome is a serious neurological condition that typically affects individuals with a viral infection such as a cold, flu, or chicken pox. The victims are almost always children and adolescents, usually between the ages of 14 and 14, who show signs of recovering from the virus, and then suddenly develop serious problems related to swelling of the brain and liver. This onset of the disease usually occurs after giving aspirin to the young person and may be related to a metabolic problem in the victim. Based on the circumstances under which this disease appears, research suggests that there is a significant link between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin.
It’s not clear exactly what causes the onset of the disease, but some research warns that there is a definite link between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin. Additional factors that may be related to Reye are exposure to environmental toxins including insecticides and herbicides. It’s important to note that Reye’s syndrome can also appear in people who haven’t taken aspirin, but this is much less common. Reye’s syndrome and aspirin are much more commonly found together.
Reye’s syndrome has proven fatal in one in three people who get it. Early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and get medical help for your child as quickly as possible. He or she may appear lethargic or confused and may also have ongoing seizures and vomiting. In very young children, diarrhea is one of the first signs, often accompanied by shallow and rapid breathing.
Despite the fact that the syndrome can affect anyone, evidence points to a definitive link between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin. The risk of developing the disease is much higher in children who have been given aspirin, and the disease occurs much less often in those who have not taken aspirin. Aspirin has been shown to damage mitochondria, an essential part of our body’s cells, and mitochondrial damage appears to be a major factor behind Reye’s syndrome. This leads to involvement of the brain and liver, and ultimately irreparable damage to those organs much of the time.
The best way to minimize the chances of a child getting this disease is to be aware of the connection between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin. A child who has or is recovering from a virus should not be given aspirin, but should be given alternative medicine for pain and fever control. It’s best to closely monitor any children who have been ill, especially with a virus, even if they haven’t been given aspirin, just to be on the safe side.
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