Toxic shock can cause severe damage to the kidneys, liver and muscles
WHAT IS toxic shock syndrome?
Toxic shock syndrome is the name given to a group of signs and symptoms caused by toxins produced by bacteria such as staphylococci.
Symptoms typically include a sudden and severe fever with headache, sore throat and muscle pains. Diarrhoea, vomiting, extreme tiredness and dangerously low blood pressure are also common with the condition.
A rash may also appear over the body with peeling of the skin of the palms and soles of the feet within a few days of the onset of symptoms. Toxic shock can cause severe damage to the kidneys, liver and muscles while cardiac and respiratory problems may also occur.
What causes it and how serious can it be?
Toxic shock syndrome can lead to the infected person becoming extremely unwell and although it is a rare condition it can cause severe illness or even death.
Although the exact strain of staphylococcus that causes toxic shock syndrome has been identified, why the condition is triggered in one person and not in another is still unknown.
It is known that the use of tampons has been shown to increase the risk of a woman developing the condition. However, not every woman who has developed the syndrome has been a tampon user and the condition can also occur in men.
How could a tampon cause toxic shock syndrome and what, as a tampon user, can I do to help prevent it?
The bacteria staphylococcus aureus which is present on our bodies does not usually cause problems.
However, under certain conditions the bacteria can multiply causing the production of toxins which invade the blood stream.
A tampon, inserted into the vagina, can provide just the conditions needed by the bacteria to multiply and spread through the blood stream causing damage to other organs and systems. If toxic shock is suspected then urgent medical intervention including the administration of antibiotic treatment to eliminate the staphylococcus infection is required.
A person who has had toxic shock syndrome is at increased risk of developing it again. To reduce the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome it is advisable to use low absorbency type tampons, changing them every four to six hours throughout the day.
You should not use tampons for prolonged periods of time, such as overnight (use a towel instead) or at times when you are not menstruating.