Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a bacterial infection that can be caused by tampon misuse, childbirth, or skin infections. Symptoms include fever, rash, vomiting, and confusion. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent kidney infections and death. Girls using tampons should be careful, and proper wound care can reduce the risk of TSS. Hand washing during childbirth is important to prevent TSS.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a condition caused by a bacterial infection. The bacterium involved is usually streptococcus or staphylococcus. Most associate TSS with tampon misuse, which can cause immediate and life-threatening illness when tampons are left on for too long. TSS can also be caused by dilation and curettage, childbirth, or minor skin infections caused by chicken pox. The symptoms are varied and important to recognize as the disease requires immediate treatment.
The symptoms of TSS develop rapidly. They include a fever usually over 102°F (38.88°C), a rash that covers the body, and severe vomiting or diarrhea. You may also feel very light-headed or feel faint, due to a significant drop in blood pressure. The eyes or vagina may appear bright red, and the affected person may be confused or have a severe headache.
Having any of these symptoms is an emergency, particularly if you are using tampons or sponges, have recently given birth, had a dilation and curettage, miscarried, or recovered from chickenpox. The treatment required is immediate, usually intravenous (IV) antibiotics to stop the spread of the disease.
Failure to treat TSS can result in serious kidney infections and ultimately death; hence, the signs of this disease should never be ignored. While those affected are usually hospitalized, doctors will definitely look for the presence of abscesses, which can result from a contraceptive tampon or sponge that has been left in place for too long. Caught early, TSS responds well to antibiotics and tends to restore people to full health.
Girls who have just started menstruating appear to be at increased risk of contracting TSS from tampon use. They often use a tampon that is too large or may forget that it is there because they are simply not used to menstruating. The risk is eliminated when girls use maxi pads instead of tampons.
The risk of TSS can be significantly reduced for others by observing the proper care of wounds, cuts or abscesses. Signs of a skin infection from chicken pox or cuts, for example, should be brought to the attention of a doctor so the infection doesn’t progress to TSS.
In most countries, TSS after childbirth or miscarriage is rare. It frequently killed women before doctors realized that clean hands could prevent possible exposure of the uterus and cervix to bacteria. Hand washing practices should be observed during every birth and those with babies in hospitals should not hesitate to ask a doctor or nurse to wash their hands before any examinations. It is better to offend someone than to expose yourself to this serious disease. Most doctors and nurses are more than happy to accommodate this request.
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