What is toxic shock syndrome?

Shock is a clinical picture characterized by the association of several symptoms due to the toxins produced by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It is a disease that can be extremely serious, although it is very rare, that progresses rapidly and can cause a malfunction of various body systems and can even lead to death.

Its relationship to tampon use

The first cases that were described affected young women who were using tampons with their menstruation. In fact, when vaginal tampons appeared in the 1970s, they were linked to an increase in toxic shock syndrome.

The use of superabsorbent tampons kept in the vagina for a long time is the most frequent risk factor, and although the exact cause-effect mechanism is unknown, it is believed that it may be due to small lacerations or cuts in the wall of the vagina that facilitate the arrival in the blood of Staphylococus aureus.

Later it has been seen that it can also affect men and children, but the group of people most frequently affected are women who use superabsorbent tampons, diaphragms or have had a recent delivery. It can also occur in patients, who have skin infections, burns or with recent surgery.

Risk factor's

Although it is not a common disorder, some factors can be identified that can increase the risk of suffering from it:

• Long-term use of a vaginal tampon
• Use of feminine barriers such as the diaphragm or the vaginal sponge.
• Presence of foreign bodies
• Presence of plugs such as those used to stop nosebleeds.
• Menstruation
• Birth
• Staphylococcus aureus infection.
• Wound infection

What symptoms does it produce?

The symptoms of this syndrome appear suddenly and are of rapid evolution. The most frequent are:

• High fever that may be accompanied by chills
• (redness of the skin resembling sunburn)
• nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Low blood pressure
• muscle pain
• Redness of the eyes, mouth and throat
• Headache
• Confusion, drowsiness
• Agitation

Rarely, the clinical picture can be complicated by kidney and liver failure, heart problems, shortness of breath, and can lead to death.

How is it diagnosed?

There is no specific test for the diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome, but fever, low blood pressure, erythema, and failure of some organs should lead to diagnostic suspicion. Analytical tests can be performed that in some cases will have normal results and a culture of a wound or vaginal discharge can be performed, as well as a blood culture. The result of these tests usually takes a few days so it can be a confirmatory diagnosis once treatment has started.

Can it be treated?

The treatment of this entity varies according to the severity of the clinical picture. In all cases, antibiotic treatment should be started, which is usually intravenous, increasing the intake of fluids to avoid dehydration and medications to control fever and pain. Likewise, the infection entrance wound should also be drained and washed if it can be identified.

In cases where one or more body systems are affected, appropriate treatment may be required for each of those affected, such as dialysis, drugs to maintain blood pressure, or assisted respiration.

If you use tampons, you should take into account ... As always, the best treatment is the prevention of the clinical picture. To reduce the risk of tampon-associated toxic shock syndrome, several guidelines should be followed:

• Avoid continuous use of tampons
• Change tampons frequently
• Use the tampon of minimal absorption necessary for the flow that the woman presents
• Use tampons only during menstruation and not for any other type of flow.
• Wash your hands well before inserting the tampon

• Shock is a clinical picture characterized by the association of several symptoms due to the toxins produced by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
• Although it can also affect men and children, the group of people most frequently affected are women who use superabsorbent tampons.
• There is no specific test for its diagnosis, but fever, low blood pressure, erythema, and failure of some organs should lead to suspicion of the diagnosis.