Universal Ramblings

TSS was first recognized to be caused by a certain brand of tampons which were made of a very absorbent foam material. They were taken off the market and are no longer sold. TSS is not very common; although it is more common in teenagers, but if you use tampons you should know about it and be aware of its symptoms.

Toxic shock syndrome is a disease believed to be caused by toxin-producing strains of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The tampon acts as a dam, stopping all normal flow–great for your period, bad when there are potential toxins present. All tampon users are at risk for TSS, but the risk is increased when using highly absorbent tampons (like “super absorbency” ones) or if the tampon you are using is too big for your body .You can reduce your risk of TSS by using pads at night or waking up during the night to change your “regular” tampons.

Symptoms

TSS is characterized by a high fever up to 105 degrees F (40.6 degrees C), sometimes a sudden fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, a rash that looks like a sunburn, and muscle aches.

Warning Signs of TSS

A sudden high fever
A rash that looks like sunburn
Sore throat or mouth
Vomiting and diarrhea
Fainting
Abdominal pain
Headache and fatigue
Muscle aches–flu-like symptoms
Dizziness and confusion

What are the risk factors for toxic shock syndrome?

In the U.S., the incidence is approximately 1/100,000 women 15-44 years of age, with the overall incidence estimated at about twice that number.

Risk factors are the use of tampons (especially when left in place for an extended time period) and barrier contraceptive devices in women, surgery (especially nasal surgery), the use of wound packings (such as nasal packings), and postoperative wound infection.

How is toxic shock syndrome diagnosed?

There is no one specific test that establishes the diagnosis of TSS. The diagnosis of TSS is difficult until the characteristic symptoms evolve and a source for the infection is identified. Besides a thorough physical examination (which includes a pelvic examination in women), blood tests will usually be ordered and might include a white blood cell count (to look for signs of infection), blood cultures (evaluating for possible bacteria in the bloodstream) and evaluation of kidney and liver function. Blood tests to exclude other diseases may also be ordered.

Chest X-rays or CT scans of the abdomen or pelvis can be ordered to evaluate the internal organs, depending on the results of the initial evaluation.

What is the treatment for toxic shock syndrome?

If you suspect that you have TSS, you should immediately seek medical care or go to an emergency department for evaluation. Foreign material such as tampons, contraceptive devices, or wound packings must be immediately removed. Treatment may involve a combination of the following:

* intravenous (IV) fluids to stabilize the blood pressure, possibly in combination with medications to raise blood pressure;

* IV antibiotics to fight the source of the infection;

* oxygen administration;

* removal of tampons, nasal packings, or other suspected sources of the infection;

* surgical interventions to drain the source of the infection in cases of an abscess and remove necrotic tissue (dead tissues); and

* dialysis if kidney failure develops.