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Toxic Shock Syndrome:
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a condition caused by bacterial toxins. Symptoms may include fever, rash, skin peeling, and low blood pressure. There may also be symptoms related to the specific underlying infection such as mastitis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis, or pneumonia.

Toxic shock syndrome is acute septicemia in women, typically caused by bacterial infection from a retained tampon or open wounds. This disease can potentially be life threatening if left untreated. TSS is typically caused by bacteria of the Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus type, though others may also be involved. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is sometimes referred to as toxic-shock-like syndrome (TSLS). The underlying mechanism involves the production of superantigens during an invasive streptococcus infection or a localized staphylococcus infection. Risk factors for the staphylococcal type include the use of very absorbent tampons, and skin lesions in young children characterized by fever, low blood pressure, rash, vomiting and/or diarrhea, and multiorgan failure. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms. After tracing most TSS infections back to super absorbent tampons they were removed from the market.

Getting a Staph related infection is very common. There are typically around 100,000 cases a year. There are multiple forms of Staph infection, TSS being one of them. You can contract a Staph infection due to an open wound, skin to skin contact, or  ingesting contaminated food. Symptoms of the onset of a Staph infection are swollen, painful red bumps, nausea, pain in abdomen or skin, abscesses that have puss, etc. Media has created a stigma around this disease that it mainly occurs in only women. There are also many cases from patients who do not have a menstrual cycle also experience Toxic Shock Syndrome. The bacteria that causes TSS can be contracted after medical procedures that end up getting infected after.

Symptoms of TSS:

 * Fever Higher than 102 F
 * Chills
 * Generally feeling unwell
 * Headache
 * Rash that is flat and covers most of the body
 * Shedding of the skin in large sheets, especially on palms and soles, seen one to two weeks after the onset of symptoms.
 * Low blood pressure
 * Vomiting
 * Diarrhea
 * Muscle pain
 * Increased blood flow to the mouth, eyes, vagina, making them appear red
 * Decreased urine output and sediment in urine
 * Decreased liver function
 * Bruising due to low platelet count

What causes TSS:
There are three different types of bacteria that cause Toxic Shock Syndrome; those include staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Clostridium sordellii. Each of these are bacterias that can cause TSS to occur in the body. People who are at risk of contracting this disease are users of tampons, surgical wounds, a local infection in the skin deep tissue, history of recent childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion. Any of these things increase your risk of getting a form of toxic shock syndrome.

Diagnosis of TSS:
To diagnose Toxic Shock Syndrome your doctor will run a series of test to rule out everything that might be happening in your body. Some things that will be run are blood cultures, blood tests, urine test, and lumbar puncture (draw spinal fluid from patients back to check for the presence of bacteria). After you are diagnosed with Toxic shock syndrome your doctor will recommend a few options for you to choose from. Although every treatment is different depending on their medical history, age, health, extent of the disease, and opinions and preference of the patient. The most common treatment of TSS include getting antibiotics through an IV (nafcillin, oxacillin, and first generation cephalosporin are common antibiotics given to patients)

Complications of TSS:

 * Amputation of fingers, toes, and sometimes limbs
 * Death
 * Liver or Kidney failure
 * Heart problems
 * Respiratory distress
 * Other abnormalities may occur depending on the case

Prevention of TSS:
For menstruating women:


 * Change tampons regularly
 * Avoid using super absorbent tampons
 * Only unwrap a tampon if you are going to use it immediately
 * Make sure to wash your hands
 * Use pads overnight instead
 * Make sure to maintain good hygiene while on your period

For non-menstruating cases:


 * Keep open wounds clean
 * Keep personal items personal (ex:towels, sheets, razors)
 * Wash clothing and bedding in hot water

Epidemiology:
In the United States alone 3-6 women per 100,000 people are diagnosed with TSS from usage of a tampon. In non menstrual cycle cases it is 0.8-3.4 per 100,000 patients are diagnosed In the United States. TSS is most common in infants and the elderly contracting the bacterias. Around the world there are multiple cases seen yearly.