The reason children are advised to stay away from aspirin for febrile illnesses is because aspirin usage during viral infections has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome – a deadly and rapidly progressive systemic disease that leads to brain swelling and death almost exclusively in children. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that aspirin and drugs containing aspiring not be given to children under 19 years for the treatment of febrile illnesses.
The symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome often start with headache, general lethargy/sleepiness, persistent vomiting, and heavy fever. Then the patient starts to experience altered mental status and respiratory difficulty (symptoms of brain swelling) which rapidly leads to coma, seizures, and/or respiratory arrest.
It is important to avoid using aspirin in children and recognize the early symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome. Although there is no cure, immediate medical intervention can be lifesaving.