No, Wasser did not “leave it in too long”: She was living her normal life, as one should, when she got roundhoused by this tampon-induced illness that took two of her limbs and almost her life.
At the time, Lauren was on her period and was wearing a tampon like she usually did. After her infection turned to gangrene, Lauren lost the toes on the left leg, while her right leg had to be amputated below the knee.
“Had I known toxic shock was real, and had I seen someone that had either lost limbs or spoke about it publicly, I would have never used tampons,” she tells PEOPLE of her 2012 tragedy. Now, the California native, 27, vows she'll never use a tampon again – and hopes women who do will be that much more careful.
The instructions on your tampon box are clear: You should never keep the same tampon in for longer than eight hours. If you leave it in longer than that, you risk toxic shock syndrome and other health concerns. If you really want to be on the safe side, though, you may want to change your tampon even more often.
If it's only been left in for 12 to 24 hours and you feel fine, just remove it and go on your way. If it's been longer than that or you can't remove it yourself, see a doctor for removal and a checkup.
In general, TSS symptoms can develop as soon as 12 hours after a surgical procedure. Symptoms usually develop in 3 to 5 days in individuals who are menstruating and using tampons or menstrual cups.
Vice reported in 2015 that Wasser's family filed a lawsuit against the Kimberly-Clark Corp., which manufacturers and distributes Kotex tampons in the United States; the suit also named the grocery stores where Wasser used to buy the products.
Wasser suffered from TSS in 2012, when she was 24. TSS is caused by an excess of staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body and can quickly become life threatening if not treated. Wasser suffered from organ failure as a result of TSS and both of her legs had to be amputated.
Given the number of women worldwide who regularly use tampons, TSS is a very rare condition. Suggestions to reduce the risk include: Change tampons regularly (at least every four hours). Avoid using super-absorbent tampons.
Tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon should not be left in for more than 8 hours. Occasionally, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection called toxic shock syndrome has been linked to women using tampons.
Expert analysis says the more absorbent the tampon, the more bacteria it can hold onto. That, paired with a tiny tear from something like pulling out a dry tampon before it's saturated with blood, can introduce the bacteria into the body.
Toxic shock syndrome affects 1 in every 100,000 people. TSS is more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB), but it can affect anyone. Until the 1990s, it was most commonly associated with people using super-absorbent tampons during their period.
If you're sleeping for no more than eight hours, sleeping with a tampon in does not increase your risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
In 1931, Earl Haas, a physician in Colorado, developed a cardboard applicator tampon that was meant to absorb menstrual blood. He made the tampon inside the applicator from tightly bound strip of dense cotton that was attached to a string for easy removal.
So, do yourself a favor and leave the pads behind and snag a tampon. All Tampax tampons can be worn while swimming in any kind of water and only Tampax tampons have a LeakGuard Braid to help stop leaks before they happen to give you all-day comfort and protection for up to 8 hours.
Maura Higgins has shared the details of her scary experience of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). The Love Island star, 31, revealed that she was 'so ill' after incurring the disease, which was the result of a tampon being stuck inside her for three months.
In some cases, such as Wasser's, those with TSS may develop gangrene and may have to amputate their limbs.
Like her on-screen counterpart, Gorecki is also an amputee. The actress lost her leg in a logging accident when she was 14 years old. She heard about the part of Izzy while attending Camp No Limits, a camp created for children with limb differences.
Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons, Fresh Scent Super Plus Absorbency, 18 Count (Pack of 3)
The majority of cases of TSS occur in women during menstruation, mostly associated with tampon use. There is no evidence that tampons directly cause TSS – the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus are the cause of the illness – not the tampon. This explains why women using pads, men and children can get TSS.
In the U.S., TSS is estimated to affect 3-6 people per 100,000 per year," said Erin Clark, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist with University of Utah Health. "The National Organization for Rare Disorders estimates that TSS related to tampon use occurs in about 1 in 100,000 menstruating women."
About half of all cases of toxic shock syndrome with staphylococci bacteria occur in women of menstruating age (most often in women ages 15 to 25 years of age who use tampons).
What Are the Symptoms of TSS? The symptoms are a lot like ones you might see from other kinds of infections: swelling, fever, redness, and a general feeling of being unwell. TSS symptoms usually come on quickly, about 2 days after the bacteria infects you.
The incidence of TSS is estimated to be around 0.8 to 3.4 per 100,000 in the United States. This activity reviews the evaluation and treatment of toxic shock syndrome and discusses the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating and treating this condition.