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Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic Shock Syndrome otherwise referred to as TSS, is something that many of us have heard of, but generally don't know much about. It is a non-contagious disease caused by a strain of bacteria called staphylococcus aureus, which releases toxins into the body. Quite a rare disease, TSS has fairly serious consequences that can include organ failure, loss of limbs and even death.

TSS is generally caused by an infection in the skin, in the underarm area, the nose, or genital area with surgery, insect bites, or burns being the prime causes. Bacteria forms and certain strains of it can release a poison into your blood stream, potentially making you very ill. Not all react negatively to the presence of this toxin however, in fact, approximately one third of the population won't develop any complications at all. These people have built up antibodies to fight the bacteria and therefore don't get sick. This seems to explain the correlation between age and TSS, as many of the people that get it are under 30. The older you get, the less likely you are to develop Toxic Shock Syndrome. The disease can occur in men, women or children, but seems to be most prevalent in menstruating females. In fact, about half of cases reported occur in menstruating women using tampons.

What the heck do tampons have to do with anything? Well it seems that there is a very strong relationship between tampon use and TSS that is not yet fully understood. Even more important is the relationship between TSS and tampon absorbency. The more absorbent the tampon, the higher the chances of developing TSS. The inside of the vagina is moist, providing a perfect breeding ground for bacteria Tampons trap bacteria inside the vagina, making the situation worse the longer it is left inserted. It is also believed that the vagina may develop microscopic tears when the tampon is inserted, allowing the toxins enter the bloodstream in this way. One theory has to do with oxygen supply, and the fact that larger tampons have more air pockets in them, providing the required oxygen needed for bacteria to grow and multiply. There are few concrete answers, the only certainty being the higher the absorbency, the higher the risk.

How do you know if you have TSS? Symptoms may include:

· sudden fever of over 102 degrees;
· vomiting;
· severe diarrhea;
· muscle aches;
· a rash that looks similar to a sunburn;
· red eyes;
· dizziness;
· drops in blood pressure causing fainting or near fainting when standing;
· and confusion.

If you have these symptoms and you are having your period, remove your tampon immediately (use a sanitary napkin instead) and call your doctor. It is important to seek medical attention quickly, as the infection can pose severe health risks as outlined above. Tell your doctor that you suspect that you have TSS and that you were using a tampon, he or she will take a blood sample and do a vaginal and cervical smear to determine if it is indeed TSS you have, or merely a case of the flu. If medical treatment is sought early enough, the infection may be effectively treated with an antibiotic called erythromycin. The problem is that the disease is so rare, ( 1-17 cases per 100,000 menstruating women per year in the USA according to one study) that most doctors have never seen a case of TSS and dismiss it as the flu. That is why it is so important to tell your doctor of your suspicions. It's much better to be wrong than to be seriously ill or even dead.

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