What happens if a child eats salicylic acid?

Answer 1

Acetyl-salacylic acid is the generic name of "aspirin"; pharmacists (called "chemists" in the UK) have the label "ASA" instead of "aspirin", because the name "aspirin" is still trademarked in the UK. Low doses are generally not harmful, but aspirin is an excellent example of the "Goldilocks Principle" of "too little, just right, and too much". High doses of aspirin are deadly (as are high doses of nearly every over-the-counter pain killer).

When taken in "childrens' doses", aspirin can help ease aches and reduce fever for sick children.