Reye's syndrome

A rare but serious illness that damages all organs of the body. The damage is most severe in the brain, where there is a severe increase in pressure, and the liver, where abnormal amounts of fat begin to develop. Unless diagnosed and treated successfully, Reye's syndrome may be fatal, often within a few days. Reye's syndrome nearly always develops when a person is recovering from a viral infection, such as the flu, a common cold or the chickenpox. The cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown, but scientists have shown a link between aspirin use and Reye's syndrome.