rye syndrome

[Soundguy]

ok.. got a question.

I remember seeing the warning about giving children aspirin if they have the flu but apparrently it's ok for adults?

just wondering.. what's the distinction.. some chemical metabolized differently with the aspirin in kids vs adults.. or?

soundguy

 

[verstore]

Reye's Syndrome. The connection or association with ingestion of "aspirin" (acetyl salicylic acid) is not clearly understood. It is an epidemiological association. I believe it is thought that children up to the age of 19 years should not take "aspirin" for common ailments like nausea, influenza, and low grade fevers. Unfortunately many young people self medicate. Learned behaviour?

 

[MossRoad]

ok.. got a question.

I remember seeing the warning about giving children aspirin if they have the flu but apparrently it's ok for adults?

just wondering.. what's the distinction.. some chemical metabolized differently with the aspirin in kids vs adults.. or?

soundguy

That sparked a memory I had long forgotten. When I was a kid I in the 60's I remember being very ill and I distinctly remember several discussions between my parents and doctor regarding Reye's syndrome and the use of aspirin. My mom was big on baby aspirin when I was a kid and they suspected Reye's syndrome. I'm pretty sure it turned out to be something else. Anyhow, I hadn't heard the term again until the 90's when we had children and the doctors would recommend alternating doses of children's Tylenol and childrens Advil to reduce high fever and specifically said no aspirin for children because of Reye's syndrome.

As to why it affects children and not adults, I have no idea.

 

[Soundguy]

weird.

 

[forgeblast]

Reye syndrome is sudden (acute) brain damage (encephalopathy) and liver function problems of unknown cause.

The syndrome has occurred with the use of aspirin to treat chickenpox or the flu in children. However, it has become very uncommon since aspirin is no longer recommended for routine use in children
Reye syndrome is most often seen in children ages 4 - 12. Most cases that occur with chickenpox are in children ages 5 - 9. Cases that occur with the flu (influenzae type B) are usually in children ages 10 - 14.

Children with Reye syndrome get sick very suddenly. Reye syndrome usually follows an upper respiratory infection (URI) or chickenpox by about 1 week.

Never give a child aspirin unless told to do so by your doctor.

When a child must take aspirin, take care to reduce the child's risk of catching a viral illness such as the flu and chickenpox. Avoid aspirin for several weeks after the child has received a varicella chickenpox vaccine.

Note: Other over-the-counter medications, such as Pepto-Bismol and substances with oil of wintergreen also contain aspirin compounds called salicylates. Do not give these to a child who has a cold or fever.

 

[CharlieTR]

We were living in VA when my brother was the fifth person know in the US to get RS. He was twelve at the time. He was sick for about 4 days when Mom take him to the ER on a Friday night. The doc was about to let him go when our my brother's regular doctor past by the room and recognized him. He stop in and starting asking him some questions. My brother barely knew is own name. The Doctor advised he needed to stay. My brother's doctor had just been to a siminar on Rye syndrome, taught by a Dr from Australia who discovered it a short time before. That is the only thing that save him was the Dr going to that seminar and recognized my brother. That was a good day.