Emergency room staff should test for Reye’s Syndrome in infants that have severe diarrhea, respiratory problems, apneic episodes, hypoglycemia, seizures and those who are hyperventilating.
Other Patients
Vomiting, lethargy, stupor, agitation, delirium, staring, screaming convulsions and coma after a viral illness are symptoms in both adults and children. These indicate that Reye’s Syndrome may be present.
About Reye’s Syndrome
Reye’s Syndrome is a debilitating disease and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. The disease usually affects children from infancy to mid-teens, but can strike at any age. Although Reye’s Syndrome normally strikes when the patient is recovering from a viral infection, it can affect those who are three to five days into a bout of viral disease.
Safety Measures
Be suspicious of Reye’s Syndrome in anyone who has had, or has, a viral illness if the person begins vomiting continually. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately. If she is not available, take the patient to the hospital. Once there, be sure that two liver tests, SGOT and SGPT, are conducted to rule out Reye’s. If the disease is diagnosed and treated in the early stages, there is a 90% chance of a full recovery.
Aspirin
Research has concluded that aspirin and medications containing aspirin can increase the chances of contacting Reye’s Syndrome if used to treat a viral illness. Never take aspirin or administer it to someone under your care, if suffering from a viral illness. Contact your physician before taking any medications for chickenpox or flu. This is particularly important for aspirin and medications that treat nausea.
The US Surgeon General, the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food and Drug Administration warn of the dangers of administering aspirin to children and teens. No person under the age of nineteen should ingest aspirin for any reason.