Reye syndrome, an extremely rare but serious illness that can
affect the brain and liver, occurs most commonly in kids
recovering from a viral infection. Named after Australian
pathologist R. Douglas Reye, who first reported it as a distinct
syndrome in 1963, Reye syndrome is still not well understood.
Studies have linked the use of aspirin or aspirin-containing
medications during viral disease to development of Reye
syndrome. Cases have dropped dramatically since the finding of a
link between the illness and aspirin use in children. About Reye
Syndrome Reye syndrome predominantly affects kids between 4 and
14 years old, and occurs most frequently when viral diseases are
epidemic, such as during the winter months or following an
outbreak of chickenpox or influenza B. Duration varies with the
severity of the disease, which can range from mild and self-
limiting to, rarely, death within hours. Although severity
varies, Reye syndrome is a potentially life threatening disorder
that should be treated as a medical e