Aspirin for Viral Virus Infection Side Effect Risk of Reyes Syndrome Liver and Brain Damage in Children

Aspirin given to a child for treatment of a viral infection has been shown to have a side effect risk of potential liver and brain damaging disease known as Reye’s syndrome.

Reye’s syndrome is deadly, attacks without warning, typically follows up a virus infection and its exact cause is unknown. The major health concern of this syndrome is the swelling of the liver and brain, which can to lead to permanent liver and brain damage, coma or even brain death.

The symptoms of Reye syndrome to be on a vigilant look-out for during your child’s infection by virus are:

If any combination of these symptoms occurs soon after your child comes down with a viral type illness, seek medical attention immediately.

Although Reyes syndrome mostly affects children under 18, everybody is at some risk. It can be triggered by aspirin when used to treat viral infections, chickenpox and influenza in particular.

Thus, never use aspirin as treatment for any viral infection. Some examples of virus infections aspirin should never be taken to treat include:

Because Reye’s syndrome involves damage to brain function, quick diagnosis and treatment of side effects crucial.

Aspirin or any other drugs from the salicylate family should never be used in the treatment viral diseases.

Always check the label before you give your child medication, including alternative or herbal remedies. Aspirin can be an unexpected ingredient, take for example Alka-Seltzer and Pepto-Bismol. Aspirin sometimes is labeled by other names, like:

  • salicylate
  • salicylic acid
  • acetylsalicylate
  • acetylsalicylic acid

Recovery from Reyes syndrome is directly proportionate to the severity of the brain swelling.

Chances of recovery are excellent in the event Reye’s syndrome is diagnosed and treated early. Whenever diagnosis and treatment is delayed, death can be the ultimate outcome of these side effects.

When your child has a viral infection, try these alternatives for fever reduction and pain relief:

Exposure to certain toxins may also contribute to Reyes syndrome, such as:

Keep your children healthy by using these products sparingly and out of their presence.

Aspirin should not be given to anyone under 18 years old, except under the direction by their treating physician for certain conditions. An example would be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and appropriate vaccinations (chickenpox, flu) need to accompany this aspirin therapy.

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