Reye's Syndrome (Noun)
Meaning
Acquired encephalopathy following acute viral infections (especially influenza or chicken pox) in young children; characterized by fever, vomiting, disorientation, coma, and fatty infiltration of the liver.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that affects children and teenagers recovering from a viral infection, often in conjunction with the use of aspirin.
- Fifteen previously healthy children developed Reye's syndrome following a viral illness such as influenza or chickenpox, with vomiting as the first symptom.
- Aspirin should be avoided for fever in young children because of its association with Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening condition that features liver failure and coma.
- Individuals with Reye's syndrome are often treated in a hospital's intensive-care unit to monitor and manage the disease and its symptoms, such as brain damage or edema.
- Since the link between aspirin therapy in children suffering viral illnesses and the development of Reye's syndrome became more understood, the incidence of Reye's syndrome decreased steadily.