Toxic Shock Syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a type of blood
poisoning that will make you feel severely ill very
quickly.
TSS is a rare but potentially serious illness that can
develop quickly in anyone – men, women and children.
TSS is caused by the common bacteria –
Staphylococcus aureus – which normally
live harmlessly on the skin and in the nose,
armpit, groin or vagina of one in every
three people. In rare cases certain strains
of these bacteria can produce toxins
(poisons) that cause TSS.
TSS is extremely rare and most
doctors will never even see a case. There are probably around 40 cases of
TSS per year in the UK. In extreme cases it may prove fatal
and sadly out of the small number of
people who fall ill each year, 2-3 die
from TSS1.
1Source: Public Health Laboratory Service, UK
Anyone can get TSS – men, women and children. Half the
reported cases of TSS are associated with women using
tampons; half result from localised infections, for example
following burns, boils, insect bites or surgery. The risk of
TSS is greater in younger people. This is because older
people are more likely to have the necessary antibodies to
protect them from the toxin that causes TSS.
Some of the symptoms of TSS are much like severe ‘flu’ and usually include some or all of the following:
a sudden high fever
vomiting
a sunburn-like rash
diarrhea
feeling weak or fainting
muscle aches
dizziness
confusion
With early diagnosis TSS can be treated with antibiotics to
kill the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and other
medicines which help counteract the symptoms.
The link between TSS and tampon use is unclear. Research
suggests that for cases which occur in women using
tampons, tampon absorbency is a factor. For this reason it
is important that you:
always use a tampon with the lowest absorbency suitable for your period flow
use a sanitary towel or panty liner from time to
time during your period
Information about TSS is contained in the tampon
manufacturers’ instruction leaflet. This information is often
updated, so remember to read the leaflet regularly.
When using tampons, it is also important to remember to:
wash your hands before and after inserting a tampon
change tampons regularly, as often as directed on the pack
never insert more than one tampon at a time
when using at night, insert a fresh tampon before going to bed and remove it on waking
remove a tampon at the end of a period
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare illness. From a
UK population of around 58 million there are about
40 cases reported each year, half of which are
associated with women using tampons1.
Men, women and children can get toxic shock
syndrome, for example following burns, boils,
insect bites or infections after surgery. About half
of the reported cases are linked to women who use
tampons; the other half are not.
With early diagnosis toxic shock syndrome can
be successfully treated. Sadly, however, out of
the small number of people who fall ill each year,
2-3 people die from TSS1. It is important to
remember that if TSS is diagnosed and treated
early there is a good chance of recovery.
Most doctors will never see a case of toxic
shock syndrome. TSS is so rare that most doctors
will not come across TSS during their medical
careers.
