Reye's Syndrome | Diagnosis & Treatment

Healthcare providers might suspect Reye’s syndrome after detecting a viral illness followed by observing symptoms of Reye’s syndrome, like vomiting and changes to your child’s behavior, including becoming easily agitated, confused or disoriented. Diagnostic tests rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms.

Your child’s Reye’s syndrome diagnosis will have a severity level marked by a Roman numeral with I (one) being the least severe and V (five) being the most severe.

What tests diagnose Reye’s syndrome?

Your healthcare provider will offer several tests to confirm your child’s diagnosis. Tests could include:

Laboratory tests to check ammonia levels in their blood or a buildup of toxins in their urine.
Imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan to view their brain.
Liver biopsy.
Spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid.

Can Reye’s syndrome be misdiagnosed?

Reye’s syndrome shares similar symptoms as many other conditions, and a misdiagnosis is possible but not common. Misdiagnosis might include:

Encephalitis.
Meningitis.
Diabetes.
Drug overdose.
Poisoning.
Sudden infant death syndrome.
Mental illness.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.