Infectious Diseases

Answer 5 Administer aspirin for relief of fever. This statement is incorrect. Although the use of aspirin is appropriate for the relief of fever, this patient is a 10-year-old child. The use of aspirin in a child with influenza is contraindicated due to the association of aspirin usage in children with influenza and the development of Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is more common with influenza B, but outbreaks have been found associated with influenza A. Public awareness is responsible for reducing the number of cases—from a high of 555 cases in 1980 to the current level of fewer than 37 cases yearly. The remaining cases may be due to self-medication by adolescents or the unknowing use of medications containing aspirin.1 REFERENCE 1. Belay ED, Bresee JS, Holman RC, et al: Reye’s syndrome in the United States from 1981 through 1997. N Engl J Med 1999;340:1377-1382. Click here to return to the questions

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