Monday, February 21, 2011

Q: 14 year old male teenager is admitted to ICU with fever, vomitting and confusion. On examination you noticed rash on palms and feet. Patient has no past medical history except recent viral infection for which he took Aspirin as well as Tylenol (acetaminophen). You are suspecting Reye's Syndrome. Which one could be responsible for it?

A) Aspirin
B) Tylenol
C) Both




Answer: Both

Though Aspirin is well described to cause Reye's Syndrome but similarly Tylenol has been described in studies to cause Reye's Syndrome as well, when taken in viral infection. Though its almost exclusively happens in children but adult cases has been reported too.