Aspirin and Reye Syndrome
Current as of: December 12, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & John Pope, MD, MPH – Pediatrics & Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine
Reye syndrome is a rare disease that occurs almost exclusively in children younger than age 15 and can cause severe liver and brain damage. Taking aspirin during a viral infection seems to significantly raise the risk of developing Reye syndrome, so do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless told to do so…