2. WHAT IS REYE‟S SYNDROME?
Reye‟s was first discovered in 1963 by in Australia by
pathologist R. Douglas Reye, and was later re-discovered by
GM Johnson in the US a few months later. It wouldn‟t be truly
recognized as a disease until 1973.
Reye‟s Syndrome is a near always fatal disease involving
“noninflammatory encephalopathy and fatty degenerative liver
failure”, otherwise known as brain and liver failure. While
almost all the bodies organs are affected, these two are the
most common with Reye‟s Syndrome victims. It is also
extremely-rare, with a only a single confirmed case in
2002, and only three suspected cases in 2009.
The victim of the disease can be saved if they are hospitalized
fast enough, however, often the disease kills the patient within
days of contracting it, or even hours.
It is not a contagious disease
3. WHO POSSESSES THE HIGHEST RISK?
Reye‟s syndrome is typically contracted when
someone is recovering from a viral illness, usually
from influenza (flu), cold, or chicken pox.
Generally, while Reye‟s syndrome can be
contracted by any age group, it‟s usually found in
children under the age of 16.
Many cases with children acquiring Reye‟s
syndrome have noted that the children previously
took aspirin for their illnesses. Because of this, it‟s
believed that aspirin may possess a connection to
Reye‟s syndrome and may help in it‟s development.
But there‟s nothing truly definite or proven.
4. WHAT ARE IT‟S SYMPTOMS
Reye‟s syndrome has been noted to actually work in
stages (I-IV), however, because of how swiftly lethal the
disease can be, many don‟t have a chance to notice the
development process of the disease.
Some general symptoms of Reye‟s Syndrome include
frequent vomiting, lethargy, extensor spasms, decelerate
rigidity, abnormal speech, sudden difficulty with hearing
and vision problems.
Often, because of it‟s symptoms Reye‟s Syndrome can
be diagnosed as something else such as
Meningitis, Encephalitis, Diabetes, Drug
Overdose, Sudden Infant Death, Toxic Ingestion, Head
Trauma, Renal or Hepatic Failure, Poisoning
5. WHAT ARE THE STAGES AND THEIR
SYMPTOMS?
As mentioned before, the stages range from I to IV.
Most wont even see or notice the stage shift
because of how quick the disease can be. More so,
the speed of the disease can cause a lapse over
the stages and potential symptoms.
Stage I involves persistent or continuous vomiting,
signs of brain dysfunction, listlessness, loss of pep
and energy, drowsiness.
Stage II involves personality changes, irritability,
aggressive behavior.
Stage III involves disorientation, confusion,
irrational behavior, combative.
Stage IV involves delirium, convulsions, coma
6. ARE INFANTS IN DANGER OF THIS DISEASE?
Yes, while infants are not the usual case with
Reye‟s Syndrome, they can most definitely contract
the disease.
Their symptoms include the general stages along
with diarrhea without vomiting, respiratory problems
like hyperventilation or apneic episodes, seizures
and hypoglycemia.
7. CAN THIS BE TREATED?
There is no specific „cure‟ for Reye‟s Syndrome.
The treatment for Reye‟s Syndrome is often supportive
at best. When a patient is hospitalized, they keep them
hydrated and stabilize electrolyte balance while
monitoring nutrition intake.
If needed, machines like ventilation (breathing machine)
or intracranial pressure (brain fluid regulation) and blood
pressure may be checked on regularly. Medication is
provided for symptoms of the disease to help the patient
should they suffer something like a seizure.
Those who suffer the worst of Reye‟s syndrome are
immediately sent to the Intensive Care Unit of the
hospital.
8. WHAT IF THE PATIENT SURVIVES?
Should a patient survive their encounter with
Reye‟s Syndrome, they are at risk from a wide
range of medical issues both physical and mental.
These medical issues include slight motor skill or
learning disability issues, attention
problems, memory problems, concentration
problems, continued speech difficulty, changes in
activity focus and difficulty with tasks.
More so, victims of Reye‟s Syndrome can go
through a personality shift. They can become overly
dependent and clingy, refusing to eat, sleep
disturbances, uncommunicative, motor
tics, depression and anxiety.
9. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR A CHILD
STUDENT? PART 1
A child whose survived Reye‟s Syndrome can be
afflicted with the previously mentioned problems.
Not only this, but the children may find their abilities
to perform writing/math/science/social studies/etc
activities experiencing a sharp decline in capability;
especially those who held problems with the
subjects before the disease took place.
To help the child, it‟s recommended that both family
and teacher work towards helping the child reach a
normal, daily life and routine.
10. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR A CHILD
STUDENT? PART 2
Parents should provide the child with a
responsibility within their capabilities to help the
child gain a sense of confidence and security.
Teachers should be patient with their Reye‟s
Syndrome survivors, and provide such activities as
dramatic play with toys and clay can help ease
them into the classroom life.
But most importantly, while you should keep in mind
the child‟s circumstances and health, you should
treat the students as a healthy person rather than a
patient.
