Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a sudden severe illness accompanied by a fever and a rash that is caused by an infection from bacteria. It is a very serious illness which can lead to failure of many organs in the body. About 50% of the cases of TSS are related to a woman’s menses. In these cases TSS has been related to the presence of a foreign body in the vagina, usually either a tampon or a diaphragm. TSS can also result from a staph infection of the skin following a surgical procedure.

The mortality rate or the number of people who die from TSS is fairly high, about 2-8%. If a woman has experienced TSS secondary to a history of tampon use, it can occur again if tampons are used again.

The rash associated with TSS occurs during the first 48 hours and appears similar to an intense sunburn. This rash continues and changes over the next 12-15 days until the skin begins to flake and is completely sloughed off over the palms and soles.

Management of severe TSS requires hospitalization, usually in the Intensive Care Unit with the skills of an expert in critical care medicine.

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