What it means
Named after Douglas Reye, the Australian doctor who described it in 1963. It usually begins as a child is getting over a viral illness such as the flu or chickenpox, and it has been strongly linked to taking aspirin during that illness. Vomiting, confusion, lethargy and changes in behavior can progress to seizures and coma.
For the nurse
Teach families not to give aspirin or other salicylates (including bismuth subsalicylate, such as Pepto-Bismol) to children and teenagers unless a provider orders it, and to check the labels of cold medicines.
At a glance
| Spanish | síndrome de Reye |
|---|---|
| Also written | Reye's syndrome, Reye’s syndrome |
Related terms
aspirin
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation and makes platelets less sticky so blood clots less easily.
influenza
An infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses; the flu.
varicella-zoster virus
The virus that causes chickenpox and, years later, can wake up again to cause shingles.
encephalopathy
A general term for any disease or damage that changes how the brain works.