Reye syndrome associated with subclinical varicella zoster virus and influenza A infection.

An association is reported between Reye syndrome and varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in a 10-year-old boy who had serologic evidence of coinfection with VZV and influenza A H3N2, and exposure to salicylates. He developed VZV reinfection without skin lesions after family exposure and influenza A was community-acquired. Recent chickenpox contact should initiate VZV serologic studies in Reye syndrome patients, regardless of the chickenpox history or evidence of infection with other viruses.