Toxic Shock Syndrome - TSS

Symptoms of TSS and How to Prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, but potentially fatal disease caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. Toxic shock syndrome affects approximately one or two out of 100,000 women in the United States annually. About 5% of TSS cases are fatal, according to the CDC. TSS occurs, most often, in women under age 30, although older women are not immune from developing this disease.

Although TSS has often been associated with menstruation, only about half of TSS cases occur during menses. TSS also occurs in women using intravaginal contraceptives, and it can be a complication of skin abscesses or surgery in both men and women. The mortality rate for TSS associated with menstruation decreased from 5.5% in 1980, when it was first associated with menstruation, to 1.8% in 1996. The mortality rate for TSS not associated with the menses stayed about the same (6%) during these years.

See also: Tampon Tips

While Caucasian women are significantly more likely to develop TSS than women of other races, all women should know the symptoms of TSS.

The most common signs and symptoms of TSS include:

• Fever with or without chills
• low blood pressure, which sometimes causes a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing after sitting
• skin changes that look like a sunburn, or redness of the tissue inside the mouth, eyes or vagina

Other less common symptoms of TSS may include vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches.

If you experience any of these symptoms during your period, seek medical care immediately. TSS is a rapidly progressing disease that can have devastating consequences if left untreated.

Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent TSS?

Fortunately, there are some preventive steps you can take during your period to help prevent TSS.

The biggest step you can take to prevent TSS is to always change tampons every 4 to 8 hours. Using the proper tampon absorbency for your menstrual flow is also an important way to help prevent TSS. This means using higher absorbency tampons only on your heaviest days of menstruation. On your lighter days, use tampons with lower absorbency.

Tip: You may be able to significantly lower your risk of getting TSS by alternating tampons and pads during your period; use tampons only during the day and pads at night, for example.

Other things you can do to lower your risk of developing TSS include making sure that you always follow the directions that come inside each box of tampons you buy. Some people may try to convince you that you can lower your risk of TSS by using certain types of tampons. This is simply not true. All types of tampons, whether made from cotton or rayon, put you at risk for TSS.

Tip: Only use tampons during menstruation. If you need extra protection at other times during the month, mini pads are your best option.

_Sources:

Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle; National Women’s Health Information Center; http://www.4women.gov/faq/menstru.htm; accessed 12/30/07.

Toxic Shock Syndrome; CDC; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/toxicshock_t.htm; accessed 12/30/07.