Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) describes a cluster of symptoms that involve many systems of the body. The following bacteria commonly cause TSS:
1. Staphylococcus aureus
2. Streptococcus pyogenes
TSS from Staphylococcus infections was identified in the late 70s and early 80s when highly absorbent tampons were widely used in menstruating women. Due to manufacturing changes in tampons, the incidence of tampon-induced TSS has diminished by more than 40 percent.
Symptoms of TSS involve many systems and may resemble other infections.
The symptoms of TSS include sudden high fever, a faint feeling, watery diarrhea, headache, and muscle aches. If your child has these symptoms, it’s important to call your child’s doctor right away.
TSS can occur whenever a nonimmune person is exposed to a TSS toxin. Illness is said to be “menstrual” if it occurs during the menstrual period and “nonmenstrual” if at other times. Each category accounts for about half of cases. The risk of TSS is greater in younger than in older people, the acquisition of protective antibodies being a function of age.
Prevention
The...