Question

A child who is recovering from a chickenpox infection is given aspirin for the fever. Which condition develops following the simultaneous administration of salicylates and the varicella vaccine?

Answer 1

Reye's syndrome condition develops.

Reye’s syndrome is a rare disorder that causes brain and liver damage. Although it can happen at any age, it is most often seen in children.

Reye’s syndrome usually occurs in children who have had a recent viral infection, such as chickenpox or the flu. Taking aspirin to treat such an infection greatly increases the risk of Reye’s.

Both chickenpox and the flu can cause headaches. That is why it is important to not use aspirin to treat a child’s headache. Your child may have an undetected viral infection and be at risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.