Menstrual Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon acute illness that occurs in young women with vaginal colonization of TSST-1-producing Staphylococcus aureus and use tampons or other intra-vaginal devices.

Signs and symptoms

 

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) vary depending on the underlying cause. TSS resulting from infection with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus typically manifests in otherwise healthy individuals via signs and symptoms including:

 

• a sudden HIGH FEVER
• low BLOOD PRESSURE
• VOMITING or DIARRHEA
• MALAISE and CONFUSION that can rapidly progress to stupor, coma and multiple organ failure.
• CHARACTERISTIC RASH, often seen early during the illness, resembles sunburn (but streptococcal TSS will rarely involve a sunburn like rash)
• MUSCLE ACHES
• REDNESS of your EYES, MOUTH and THROAT
• SEIZURES
• HEADACHES

 

Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone, including men, children and postmenopausal women. Risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds and surgery.

 

Call your DOCTOR immediately if you have signs or symptoms of toxic shock syndrome.

This is especially important if you’ve recently used tampons or if you have a skin or wound infection.

Prevention

 

Recommendation:

 

• USE THE LOWEST ABSORBENCY TAMPON YOU CAN.
• CHANGE TAMPONS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH.
• USE MINI PADS WHEN YOUR FLOW IS LIGHT.
• AT NIGHT USE ONLY PADS, tampons are not recommended for night usage!
• READ THE LABELS AND PRODUCER INSTRUCTIONS!
• Before sex control tampon status in your body.

 

About a LOST TAMPON: A tampon can’t really be lost. It is there in your vagina; you have just hard time finding it. Ask your best friend to help you find it or go to the DOCTOR. Also remember the sign of lost tampon in case you lost it but you were sure you removed it: bad smell during sex.

Risk factors

 

Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone. About half the cases of toxic shock syndrome associated with Staphylococci bacteria occur in women of menstruating age; the rest occur in older women, men and children. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome occurs in people of all ages.

 

Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with:

 

• using contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, tampons, menstrual caps
• having cuts or burns on your skin
• having had recent surgery
• having a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox.

 

Toxic shock syndrome can recur. People who’ve had it once can get it again.

If you’ve had toxic shock syndrome or a prior serious staph or strep infection, don’t use tampons or other objects inserted in your vagina.

Complications

 

Toxic shock syndrome can progress rapidly.

 

Complications may include:

 

• Shock
• Renal failure
• Death

Call a doctor

 

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME!

This is especially important if you’ve recently used tampons, menstrual cup or if you have a skin or wound infection (inform your doctor about it).