| Many people incorrectly believe that TSS only affects | | | | or fainting), watery diarrhea, headache, sore throat, |
| women, when in fact it can affect anyone - men, | | | | and muscle aches. Within 24 hours, a sunburn-like rash |
| women and children. TSS has occurred in all races, | | | | appears. There also may be bloodshot eyes and an |
| although most cases have been reported from North | | | | unusual redness under the eyelids or inside the mouth |
| America and Europe. | | | | (and vagina in females). After that, broken blood |
| What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome? | | | | vessels may appear on the skin. Other symptoms |
| There are actually two different types of this | | | | may include: confusion or other mental changes; |
| condition. Toxic shock syndrome, which is caused by | | | | decreased urination; fatigue and weakness; thirst; |
| Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, has been associated | | | | weak and rapid pulse; pale, cool, moist skin; and rapid |
| with the use of tampons. (TSS was initially linked to a | | | | breathing. |
| particular brand of tampons, which have since been | | | | Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) |
| taken off the market.) Although the exact | | | | Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome can happen |
| connection is still not clear, researchers suspect that | | | | following a streptococcus infection in the body, most |
| certain types of high-absorbency tampons provided a | | | | often a skin infection or an infected wound. Within 48 |
| moist, warm home where the bacteria could thrive. | | | | hours of infection, the person's blood pressure drops |
| Although TSS usually occurs in menstruating women, | | | | dangerously low, and he or she may have fever, |
| it can affect anyone who has any type of staph | | | | dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and a weak |
| infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound | | | | and rapid pulse. The skin may be pale, cool, and |
| infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a | | | | moist, and there may be a blotchy rash that |
| bone infection called Osteomyelitis. | | | | sometimes peels. The area around an infected wound |
| A related infection, streptococcal toxic shock | | | | can become swollen, red, and have areas of severely |
| syndrome, or STSS, is caused by streptococcus | | | | damaged or dying flesh. The liver and kidneys may |
| bacteria. Most often STSS appears after | | | | begin to fail, and bleeding problems may develop. |
| streptococcus bacteria have invaded areas of injured | | | | If you develop toxic shock syndrome, you'll likely be |
| skin, such as cuts and scrapes, surgical wounds, and | | | | hospitalized and need antibiotics. Doctors will try to |
| even chickenpox blisters. It almost never follows a | | | | determine the source of the infection. Along with |
| simple streptococcus throat infection | | | | antibiotics, you'll receive supportive care to treat the |
| Symptoms | | | | signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome. If |
| Toxic shock syndrome | | | | your blood pressure begins to drop (hypotension), |
| Toxic shock syndrome from staphylococcus starts | | | | you'll need medication to stabilize it and fluids to |
| suddenly with vomiting, high fever (temperature at | | | | prevent dehydration. The toxins produced by the |
| least 102 degrees Fahrenheit [38.8 degrees Celsius]), | | | | staph bacteria may result in kidney failure. If your |
| a rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness | | | | kidneys fail, you may need dialysis. |