Reye's Syndrome and the Flu

By Julie Stachowiak, PhD
Multiple Sclerosis Guide; Guest blogger

Reye's Syndrome is a rare disorder that is often fatal - it usually happens in children and teenagers, but can occur in adults. While it affects all organs, the brain and liver are usually hardest hit, as the brain swells drastically and the liver accumulates fat.

So what is the link between flu (seasonal flu or swine flu/H1N1) and Reye's syndrome? Reye's syndrome happens most often during recovery from a viral infection, although it can also develop 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral illness, such as the flu. The biggest risk factor is aspirin taken by young people during a viral illness.

Therefore, anyone younger than age 19 who had flu symptoms should NOT take aspirin. Other painkillers, such as acetominifen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxin (Aleve) CAN be used by people of all ages who have flu symptoms. Please note that many prescription and non-prescription medications contain salicylates - please visit the website of the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation for a description of salicylates and list of prescription and non-prescription medications containing salicylates.

Special note: If you are breastfeeding, you should also avoid anything with aspirin or other salicylates, as these ingredients are passed through breastmilk to infants, who are susceptible to Reye's syndrome if they get a viral infection.