The Disappearance of Reye's Syndrome — A Public Health Triumph

Today, few young parents in the United States recognize the name Reye's syndrome or react strongly to it. A short time ago the response was far different. In the 1970s and 1980s, Reye's syndrome was feared by parents in a way that was reminiscent of the fear of poliomyelitis before the introduction of vaccine. Like polio, Reye's syndrome occurred mainly in children, in clusters of cases over limited periods and in limited geographic areas, generating headlines in local newspapers. Both could produce death or permanent disability. However, paralytic polio was easily recognized clinically and was associated with a specific virus. . . .