Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare complication of certain types of bacterial infections. It can be fatal. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also called staph bacteria, often cause toxic shock syndrome. But toxins produced by group A streptococcus bacteria, also called strep bacteria, also can cause the condition.

Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone. Risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds, surgery, and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups and birth control sponges or diaphragms.

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are sudden. They may include:

• High fever.
• Low blood pressure.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Rash that looks like a sunburn, most often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
• Confusion.
• Muscle aches.
• Redness of the eyes, mouth and throat.
• Seizures.
• Headaches.

Call your healthcare professional right away if you have symptoms of toxic shock syndrome. This is most important if you use tampons or if you have a skin or wound infection.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also called staph bacteria, most often cause toxic shock syndrome. Group A streptococcus bacteria, also called strep bacteria, also can cause it.

Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone. About half the cases of toxic shock syndrome linked to staph bacteria happen to people who menstruate. Strep toxic shock syndrome happens to people of all ages.

Toxic shock syndrome has been linked to:

• Having cuts or burns on the skin.
• Having had recent surgery.
• Using birth control sponges, diaphragms, extra-strength tampons or menstrual cups and leaving them in for a long time.
• Having a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox.

Toxic shock syndrome can progress rapidly. Complications may include:

• Shock.
• Kidney, failure, also called renal failure.
• Damage to other organs, such as hearts and livers.
• Death.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviews tampons for safety and how well they work. They're also tested to see if they help harmful bacteria, which can cause toxic shock syndrome, grow.

If you use tampons, read the labels. Use tampons with the lowest absorbency, which means they hold less fluid. If you can wear a tampon without changing it for eight hours, you might need a lower absorbency.

Change tampons often, at least every 4 to 8 hours. Switch between tampons and sanitary napkins. Use mini pads or panty liners when your flow is light.

People who've had toxic shock syndrome can get it again. If you've had toxic shock syndrome or other serious staph or strep infections, don't use tampons.

There's no one test for toxic shock syndrome. You may need to give blood and urine samples to test for the presence of a staph or strep infection. Your vagina, cervix and throat may be swabbed for samples to be studied in a lab.

Because toxic shock syndrome can affect more than one organ, your healthcare professional may order other tests to see how the illness affects you. These might include a CT scan, lumbar puncture or chest X-ray.

People with toxic shock syndrome most often are treated in a hospital. Treatment often involves:

• Getting a mix of antibiotics while healthcare professionals try to find what's causing the infection.
• Having tampons, diaphragms and other foreign bodies removed. Wounds may be drained or damaged tissue removed.
• Getting medicine to bring up blood pressure if it's low and fluids through a vein if needed.

The toxins staph or strep bacteria make and the hypotension that goes with them may result in kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you may need dialysis.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue from the site of infection or to drain the infection.

Toxic shock syndrome most often is diagnosed in an emergency setting. But if you're worried about your risk of toxic shock syndrome, see your healthcare professional to check your risk and talk about ways to prevent the illness.