Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome or TSS is a non-common, deadly infection caused by toxins from bacteria.

Toxic shock syndrome is usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, but it can also be caused by Streptococcus bacteria

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome can show up suddenly, and the disease can be deadly. The symptoms are different when the toxic shock syndrome is caused by different bacteria. When it is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the symptoms are generally high fever, low blood pressure, confusion, and malaise. If the disease is not treated, someone with toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus aureus can go into a coma.

Treatment for Toxic shock syndrome

Antibiotics are given. If severely ill, patients may need to be supported in the intensive care unit in a hospital.

Women who have had an episode of TSS are at increased risk of a second episode. Therefore a doctor may advise against tampon use in women who have had TSS.

If high fever, vomiting or diarrhoea develops during menstruation, stop using tampons and seek medical advice immediately. It may not be TSS but this must be verified because TSS can be dangerous if not treated in its early stages
the risk of TSS may be reduced by using tampons intermittently during menstruation. Overnight, it is advisable to use a pad
take special care with personal hygiene during menstruation. Bathe or shower daily
wash your hands before as well as after inserting a tampon. Unwrap a fresh, clean tampon just before insertion and do not handle it more than is necessary. Discard any tampons you may have unwrapped and not used immediately. Insert the tampon gently and carefully
use the lowest absorbency tampon necessary
do not leave the tampon in for a prolonged duration. Change the tampon as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions
never insert more than one tampon at a time
remove tampons at the end of a period.