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Reye’s Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Reye’s syndrome is a rare condition that causes liver and brain damage. It can affect people of all age groups, but most cases are reported in small children. The disease often occurs in those with a recent viral infection like the flu or chickenpox. Symptoms can become fatal quite quickly, so early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Read on to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for Reye’s syndrome.

Symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome

Initial Symptoms

In the early stage, people with Reye’s syndrome would become ill very unexpectedly. Typical symptoms often appear 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral infection, such as the common cold, chickenpox, or influenza. But in some cases, the signs might happen as late as 3 weeks after the infection. Initial symptoms of Reye’s syndrome include irritable behavior, persistent vomiting, abnormal lethargy or sleepiness, rapid breathing, moderate-to-severe diarrhea, reduced blood sugar levels, or swelling of the brain and liver.[1]