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National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
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Reye's Syndrome, a deadly disease, strikes swiftly and can attack any child, teen, or adult without warning. All body organs are affected, with the liver and brain suffering most seriously.
While the cause and cure remain unknown, research has established a link between Reye's Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate containing medications.
In 1974, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation was incorporated, becoming the first citizen group to generate a concerted, organized lay movement to eradicate Reye's Syndrome.
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What Is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's Syndrome is a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain. Reye's Syndrome is a two-phase illness because it is almost always associated with a previous viral infection, such as influenza, cold, or chicken pox. Scientists do know that Reye's Syndrome is not contagious and the cause is unknown. Reye's Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or psychiatric illness.
Reye's Syndrome tends to appear with greatest frequency during January, February, and March when influenza is most common. Cases are reported in every month of the year. An epidemic of flu or chicken pox is commonly followed by an increase in the number of cases of Reye's Syndrome.
When Reye's Syndrome develops, it typically occurs when a person is beginning to recover from a viral illness. Abnormal accumulations of fat begin to develop in the liver and other organs of the body, along with a severe increase of pressure in the brain. Unless diagnosed and treated successfully, death is common, often within a few days. A person's life depends upon early diagnosis. Statistics indicate an excellent chance of recovery when Reye's Syndrome is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. The later the diagnosis and treatment, the more severely reduced are chances for successful recovery and survival.
Stages of Reye's Syndrome:
- Stage I:
Persistent or continuous vomiting
Signs of brain dysfunction:
Listlessness
Loss of pep and energy
Drowsiness
- Stage II:
Personality changes:
Irritability
Aggressive behavior
Disorientation:
Confusion
Irrational behavior
Combative
Delirium, convulsions, coma
Reye's Syndrome should be suspected in a person if this pattern or symptoms appear during or, most commonly, after a viral illness. Not all of the symptoms have to occur, nor do they have to be displayed in this order. Fever is not usually present. Many diseases have symptoms in common. Physicians and medical staff in emergency rooms who have not had experience in treating Reye's Syndrome may misdiagnose the disease. (ER Info) The symptoms of Reye's Syndrome in infants do not follow a typical pattern. For example, vomiting may be replaced with diarrhea, and they may display irregular breathing.
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| Ingredients to Avoid, whether in Prescription, Non-Prescription or Topical products include:
Acetyl Salicylic Acid
Acetylsalicylate
Acetylsalicylic Acid
Aluminum Acetyl Salicylate
Ammonium Salicylate
Amyl Salicylate
Arthropan
Aspirin
Benzyl Salicylate
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Calcium Acetyl Salicylate
Choline Salicylate
Ethyl Salicylate
Lithium Salicylate
Methyl Salicylate
Methylene Disalicylic Acid
Octisalate
Octyl Salicylate
Phenyl Salicylate
Procaine Salicylate
Sal Ethyl Carbonate
Salicylamide
Salicylanilide
Salicylsalicylic Acid
Santalyl Salicylate
Sodium Salicylate
Stoncylate
Strontium Salicylate
Sulfosalicylic Acid
Tridecyl Salicylate
Trolamine Salicylate
Get a Printable Version of the List |
National Reye's Syndrome Foundation, Inc.
E-mail: nrsf@reyessyndrome.org
Toll Free: 1-800-233-7393 (U.S. only)
Telephone: 1-419-924-9000
FAX: 1-419-924-9999
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| Tylenol and Ibuprophen do not contain salicylates and can be used as a fever reducer. When taking any medication, we recommend you check with your doctor first. |
| REPORT A CASE
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| Reye's Syndrome: |
 What Is Reye's |
| Bulletin |
| Facts |
| Suspecting Reye's |
| Treatment |
| After Reye's |
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| The Aspirin Link: |
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| The Role of Aspirin |
| Prescription |
| Non-Prescription |
| Topical |
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| Resources: |
| Chickenpox |
| Videos |
| Literature |
| Download ............ ........ Newsletter; |
| Fall 2007 |
| Spring 2008 |
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Download Informational Letter you can send to your Pharmacy, Retail Store, or Pharmacuetical Company.
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Download Awareness Letter / Poster you can send to Schools, Medical Personnel, Day Care Centers, Play Centers, etc.
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Read the Labels on Products
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| Our Work is Not Done! Until all Parents are made aware of the risk of giving their Children Aspirin and other Products containing Salicylate Medications, Our Work is Not Done! |
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The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation, U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children or teenagers who are suffering from influenza-like illnesses and chicken pox.
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