Reye Syndrome
What is Reye syndrome?
Reye's syndrome (RS) is primarily a children's disease, although it can occur
at any age. It affects all organs of the body but is most harmful to the brain
and the liver--causing an acute increase of pressure within the brain and,
often, massive accumulations of fat in the liver and other organs. RS is defined
as a two-phase illness because it generally occurs in conjunction with a
previous viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox. The disorder commonly
occurs during recovery from a viral infection, although it can also develop 3 to
5 days after the onset of the viral illness. RS is often misdiagnosed as
encephalitis, meningitis,
diabetes, drug overdose,
poisoning, sudden infant death
syndrome, or psychiatric
illness.
What are the symptoms of Reye syndrome?
Symptoms of Reye syndrome include:
- persistent or recurrent vomiting,
- listlessness,
- personality changes including irritability or
combativeness,
- disorientation or confusion,
- delirium,
- convulsions,
and
- loss of consciousness.
If these symptoms are present during or soon after a viral illness, medical
attention should be sought immediately. The symptoms of RS in infants do not
follow a typical pattern; for example, vomiting does not always occur.
Next: What causes Reye syndrome? »
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