When tampons lead to toxic shock syndrome – What to watch out for

The toxic shock syndrome it grows quickly and can damage many different organs, including the lungs, kidneys and liver, and it can also prove to be a fatal disease. For this very reason, toxic shock syndrome requires immediate medical treatment.

What causes toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

An infection caused by strep or staph bacteria can lead to toxic shock syndrome. These bacteria are common and usually do not cause problems. But in rare cases, the toxins enter the bloodstream and cause a severe immune reaction. This reaction causes the symptoms of STS.

-Toxic shock syndrome caused by strep usually occurs after childbirth, a flu, chicken pox, surgery, small cuts or wounds to the skin, or from injuries that bruise but cannot break the skin.

-Toxic shock syndrome caused by staph also occurs very often in women who keep a tampon in for much longer than they should.

If you've had an STD before, you're more likely to get it again in the future.

What are the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome from tampons?

Symptoms of toxic shock worsen rapidly and can prove fatal in as little as two days.

These symptoms include:

-Sudden fever over 39°C

-Signs of shock, including low blood pressure and fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, fainting, dizziness, generalized restlessness and confusion.

-A rash that looks like a sunburn. This rash can appear in different areas of your body or just in certain places, such as the armpits or groin.

-Severe pain in an infected wound

Other symptoms of STD from tampons may include:

-Severe flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches, stomach cramps, headache, or sore throat.

-Redness inside the nose and mouth.

-Conjunctivitis

- Peeling and/or scaly skin, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet