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.
At its peak in 1980, there were approximately six cases of TSS per 100,000 women ages 19 to 44. That number has gone down significantly, likely due to changes in tampon material and absorbency, stricter warning label guidelines, and increased awareness, according to the CDC.
Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone, including men, children and postmenopausal women. Risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds, surgery, and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups, contraceptive sponges or diaphragms.
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.
Despite aggressive treatment, the mortality rate for STSS ranges from 30% to 70%. Mortality from STSS is substantially lower in children than adults. Known complications of shock and organ failure can occur, including tissue necrosis and loss of extremities.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but very serious infection. TSS is a medical emergency. So it's important to know how to prevent it and what signs to watch for. With prompt treatment, it's usually cured.
Treatment for TSS may include: Giving intravenous (through a vein) antibiotics. Giving intravenous fluid to treat shock and prevent organ damage. Heart medications in people with very low blood pressure.
While the instructions on the tampon box encourage women to change their tampon every eight hours, sometimes people forget to change them or occasionally may lose them. Leaving a tampon in for longer than 8-12 hours, can increase risk of infection or possibly TSS, according to Jessica Shepherd, a gynecologist.
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.
Symptoms of toxic shock include: Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Hypotension (low blood pressure) with a weak and rapid pulse. A red rash that covers the whole body, sometimes followed by peeling skin (the rash may be difficult to see in dark-skinned individuals)
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.
Staphylococcal TSS is common in people aged 15-35 years. More than 90% of cases in women occur in those aged 15-19 years. Streptococcal TSS is seen in all age groups; however, most cases occur in people aged 20-50 years.
Patients' ages ranged from 1 to 80 years, with 36% of cases occurring in individuals 15-19 years of age. Race and age distributions remained constant when examined by year of onset. Of the 2,107 cases in which outcome was specified, 103 (5%) resulted in death.
Originally, toxic shock syndrome was linked to the use of super-absorbent tampons. Research led to better tampons and better habits for using them, such as changing them often. The number of TSS cases dropped dramatically. Today about half of all TSS cases are related to menstruation.
Most patients recover completely and without any significant long-term handicap. The most important observation is that TSS can recur in the same individual. Rates of recurrence vary from 5-40%, depending on the patient series.
Don't freak out if you realize you've forgotten to change your tampon. 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.
There isn't a set time for when symptoms of TSS start after using a tampon. However, tampons should be removed from your vagina after eight hours to lower your risk of TSS. This doesn't mean you will get TSS if a tampon is left in your vagina longer than eight hours.
Wearing one pad for way too long:
If you do not change your pads frequently (at least every 6-8 hours), you are much more prone to develop rashes and vaginal yeast infections with the side effect of bad odour. No matter how light your flow is, it's always safe to change your pad.
If you accidentally fall asleep with one in, don't panic. Just be sure to change it first thing in the morning and plan ahead for the next night you have a heavy flow. Here are some general things to know at bedtime when you're on your period: Only use higher absorbency tampons when your flow is heavy.
If you cannot get to your GP or a sexual health clinic, call 111 or get help from 111 online. 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.
The first symptom is most often severe pain that comes on suddenly. Other symptoms include: Very low blood pressure. Shock (not enough blood flow to the systems in your body)
Symptoms of TSS are never something to ignore or attempt to fix on your own. If you believe you are experiencing signs of TSS, seek medical care immediately, especially if you've recently been using tampons or have any type of skin infection.
The symptoms usually begin suddenly and are often nonspecific. Prostration and hypotensive shock can occur within 24 hours. Milder forms of the disease also may be seen.