Tampons and Toxic Shock

DOCTOR JAMES K. TODD of the University of Colorado first identified Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in 1978. TSS is a type of blood poisoning caused by the release of toxins from the growth of bacteria. TSS develops from a common bacterium, staphylococcus aureus, which can live on the skin and in the nose, armpit, groin, or vagina.

Though the disease is rare, it can be fatal. Symptoms of TSS include high sudden fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, rapid pulse, fatigue, sore throat, dizziness, fainting, and a drop in blood pressure. Although TSS can arise from[Page 785] wounds or infections and is seen in some men, it normally manifests in women 30 years old and younger. The most common cause of TSS is tied to the ...