Ever since the news made the round last month about how a 15 year old girl died of toxic shock syndrome – also known as TSS – efforts have been doubled to enlighten not only girls (because some use tampons during their monthly periods), but boys too (who may become infected by the same bacteria through open wounds) about the symptoms, safety precautions, and emergency care of TSS.
Consider below:
1. It is rare
Toxic shock syndrome, commonly known as TSS, is a dangerous condition that every woman should be aware of – but you shouldn’t be scared of using tampons, you just need to know the proper precautions to take. Dr Claire Morrison of MedExpress says:
During the course of my work over the past 20 years, I have only rarely seen a case of toxic shock syndrome, but it is a condition that doctors should be vigilant in diagnosing, as it is very serious and life-threatening if not caught early enough.
2. Men can get it too
Most people assume that toxic shock syndrome only occurs as a result of leaving a tampon in too long, but you can also get it from cuts, bites, burns or scalds, as the same bacteria can infect the skin through an open wound – it’s not gender specific.
However, it has also been linked to the use of menstrual sponges, diaphragms and cervical caps, as well as tampons, so it’s unsurprising TSS is most common in women under 30 – in fact, up to 30% of cases are in women under the age of 19. You are also at a higher risk of developing it if you have recently given birth.
3. The symptoms can be misleading
When you have toxic shock syndrome, bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which inhabits the skin and vagina, can overcome the body’s defences, causing the release of toxins into the blood. The initial symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle aches and light-headedness, which may be mistaken for a viral infection.
Some people with TSS get a peeling rash. If left too long, sufferers experience low blood pressure (shock), confusion, kidney failure and coma, and in severe cases, TSS can be fatal. It’s important to know the signs so you can spot them early.
4. You can prevent it
TSS first became common knowledge in the 1970s and 1980s, when several women died after using the same brand of super-absorbent tampon. This is why doctors now recommend that you use the lowest possible absorption – if your tampon is too efficient, you are far less likely to remember to change it regularly.
Dr Claire also recommends changing your tampon every 4-6 hours, and never leaving one in for more than 8 hours. You should always wash your hands before and after changing a tampon, and make sure you have removed the old one before inserting a replacement.
5. Tampons can expire
It turns out that just like your beauty products, tampons do technically have an expiry date – while there is no link between toxic shock and expired sanitary products, but since TSS is linked to hygiene, it makes sense to abide by it. Regular tampons are generally fine, as they are just cotton, but scented tampons should be checked if you have had them for a while; the chemicals that give them that fresh fragrance can change over time, potentially leading to irritation and infection.
6. It CAN be treated
If you do develop TSS and catch it early on, it can be treated with antibiotics and fluids. You may need to stay in hospital, but this is generally just a precaution. If you are on your period and you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should remove your tampon and seek medical advice immediately. Even if you really do just have an illness like flu, which has similar symptoms, it’s better to be on the safe side – and if you do have TSS, the quicker you receive treatment, the better.
From: seventeen.com
