Toxic shock syndrome overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by a bacterial toxin. Different bacterial toxins may cause toxic shock syndrome, depending on the situation. The causative agents are the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal TSS is sometimes referred to as Toxic Shock Like Syndrome (TSLS). http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/toxicshock_t.htm
Causes
Toxic shock syndrome is caused by a toxin produced by certain types of Staphylococcus bacteria. A similar syndrome, called toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS), can be caused by Streptococcal bacteria.
Risk Factors
Menstruating women, women using barrier contraceptive devices, persons who have undergone nasal surgery, and persons with postoperative staphylococcal wound infections are the most important risk factors for toxic shock syndrome. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/toxicshock_t.htm
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Women wearing a tampon at the onset of symptoms should remove it immediately. The severity of this disease results in hospitalization for treatment. Antibiotic treatment consists of penicillin and clindamycin.
Surgery
One of the symptoms of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is extreme infection of the skin and deeper parts is called necrotizing fasciitis. This often requires prompt surgical treatment.
Primary Prevention
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome can be prevented by avoiding the use of highly absorbent tampons. Risk can be reduced by changing tampons more frequently and using tampons only once in a while during menstruation.