Important Info About Reyes Syndrome

[ZsMommy]

When I was in 8th grade,this beautiful little girl,I believe her name was Kathy Keister came down with Reyes Syndrome after a virus. Back in the '80's not enuf research about the dangers of treating fever with aspirin or other salicylate based products(this includes Pepton Bismol) was public knowledge. Kathy quickly went from a virus to on a respirator on life support. Kathy died 12 days later. Kathy was this small angel-She was tinier than other classmates her age,with hair so blond it was almost white.Kathy's hair was so long,past her behind,worn in a long single braid. She had a beautiful voice and was often featured as a soloist in the school's chorus. I wasn't close friends with Kathy,but we shared smiles and hello's as we passed on our way to and from school.Kathy had a smile and giggle that warmed a room for such a tiny little being. Kathy's death touched me...It also scared me to this day about Reyes Syndrome.

I wanted to shared this info with all moms and hope you keep it in mind and pass it on.

 

(From www.reyessyndrome.org)

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

Read the Lables;

Ingredients to Avoid during Viral Infections:

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

Facts You Need to Know About Reye's Syndrome:

Reye's Syndrome is a very serious disease. Children and adults develop Reye's Syndrome as they are getting over a viral illness, such as the flu or chicken pox. Reye's Syndrome usually affects people from infancy through young adulthood; however, no age group is immune. Although Reye's generally occurs when someone is recovering from a viral illness, it can develop three to five days after the onset of the illness. The disease's main targets are the liver and brain. Reye's Syndrome is non-contagious, and too often is misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, poisoning, drug overdose, or sudden infant death.

Early diagnosis is crucial. Following a viral illness, individuals should be watched during the next two to three weeks.

Fact: No one is immune. Reye's affects all ages, both genders, and every race. Fact: Reye's will generally follow a viral illness or upper respiratory infection, i.e., cold, flu, chicken pox, ear infection, etc. Fact: Research figures show that 90 to 95 percent of Reye's Syndrome patients in the United States have taken aspirin during a preceding viral illness.

Fact: A fever need not be present.

Fact: Reye's Syndrome occurs year-round, not just during the winter months.

Fact: Reye's Syndrome runs its course within a matter of hours to just a few days.

Fact: Aspirin and salicylate containing medications do not have to be ingested to bring on Reye's. These medications only increase a person's chance of developing the disease.

Fact: A person diagnosed with Reye's Syndrome must be hospitalized and treatment begun immediately.

Remember... Reye's Syndrome usually appears after a flu-like infection, upper respiratory infection, chicken pox, or other viral illness. The early signs are: * Continuous vomiting * Listlessness * Loss of energy * Aggressiveness * Confusion * Irrational behavior

Medicines can mask symptoms. Do not give your child aspirin or anti-nausea medications. Call your doctor immediately. Reye's Syndrome is always a medical emergency. Abnormal Liver Tests: SGOT (SAT) and SGPT (ACT) strongly suggest a diagnosis of Reye's Syndrome. Time is important! Early diagnosis is VITAL.

Reye's syndrome should be suspected in anyone who vomits repeatedly. Call your doctor immediately if these symptoms develop. Voice your concern about Reye's Syndrome. If your physician is unavailable, take the person to an Emergency Room promptly. Two liver function tests (SGOT (SAT), SGPT (ACT)) can be done to determine the possibility of Reye's Syndrome. There is a 90% chance of recovery when the syndrome is treated in its earliest stages by physicians and nurses experienced in the treatment of Reye's.

Studies have shown that using aspirin or aspirin containing medications to treat the symptoms of viral illnesses increases the chance of developing Reye's Syndrome. If you or a member of your family have a viral illness, do not use aspirin or aspirin containing medications. In fact, you should consult your physician before you take any drugs to treat any viral illness such as the flu or chicken pox, particularly aspirin or anti-nausea.

The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation (NRSF), the U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be taken by anyone under 19 years of age during fever-causing illnesses.

(From Wikipedia)

Symptoms and signs

Reye's syndrome progresses through five stages, explained below:

• Stage I
  • Persistent, heavy vomiting that is not relieved by eating
  • Generalized lethargy
  • General mental symptoms, e.g. confusion
  • Nightmares
• Stage II
  • Stupor caused by minor brain inflammation
  • Hyperventilation
  • Fatty liver (found by biopsy)
  • Hyperactive reflexes
• Stage III
  • Continuation of Stage I and II symptoms
  • Possible coma
  • Possible cerebral edema
  • Rarely, respiratory arrest
• Stage IV
  • Deepening coma
  • Large pupils with minimal response to light
  • Minimal but still present hepatic dysfunction
• Stage V
  • Very rapid onset following stage IV
  • Deep coma
  • Seizures
  • Respiratory failure
  • Flaccidity
  • Extremely high blood ammonia (above 300mg per 100mL of blood)
  • Death

 

 

[jmsmith76]

Apr. 1, 2008 at 12:36 PM Thank you for posting this fantastic information!