Another Good Reason to Vaccinate Against Influenza: Reye’s Syndrome.

This was a great Ask the Doctor question. Reye’s syndrome (pronounced “rahy’s” syndrome) is a serious illness that usually occurs in children who have taken salicylates (found in aspirin) during or after a viral illness. It was named after the person who first described it in 1963, an Australian pathologist by the name of RDK Reye. Symptoms of Reye’s syndrome include vomitting and changes in behavior and alertness. Fortunately, the number of cases of Reye’s syndrome have decreased dramatically since we became aware of the relationship of aspirin to developing the syndrome. 

To help prevent Reye’s syndrome, children should avoid taking products with aspirin in them around the time of  a respiratory infection that might be influenza. Also, if a child needs to be on aspirin long term, they should be sure to get vaccinated for influenza every year. Acetaminophen (like the brand name Tylenol) and ibuprofen (like the brand name Advil) do not seem to increase the risk of Reye’s Syndrome.