A thorough physical exam is part of diagnosing Reye syndrome and may include:

• Examining the nervous system for:
  • How the pupil of the eye reacts to light.
  • Pain in the neck or spinal cord when the neck is bent forward.
  • Strength in the arms and legs.
  • Response to pain or pressure on an area of the body.
  • Alertness and general coherence, such as whether time and place can be correctly identified.
  • Reflex reactions.
• Feeling the stomach area to evaluate the liver.
• Feeling around the waist to examine the kidneys.
• Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.
• Checking for swelling in the legs.