Reye’s Syndrome Alert: Never Give Your Child Aspirin

Never give aspirin or aspirin-containing products to a child under the age of 18 with a fever-causing illness. Studies show that treating a virus with aspirin increases the risk of developing Reye’s Syndrome, a non-contagious, deadly disease which affects the body’s organs, especially the brain and liver.

With or without aspirin, Reye’s can develop in people of any age. Symptoms most often emerge as someone is recuperating from a viral illness. It is often misdiagnosed as meningitis, diabetes, poisoning, or others. Recovery is likely if treated early. So, if the following symptoms appear, seek emergency medical attention, and voice your concern about Reye’s Syndrome:

• Relentless vomiting

• Listlessness

• Excessive drowsiness

• Personality change and combativeness

• Disorientation

• Convulsions or loss of consciousness

In Infants:

• Diarrhea, but not necessarily vomiting

• Respiratory disturbances

www.reyessyndrome.org