TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is on the Rise

Most people when they hear toxic shock syndrome or TSS they think immediately of tampons because TSS has been linked to tampon use. In the early 1980s when TSS was at its peak this was true. At the time about every 10 per 100,000 menstruating women suffered from TSS in one year. Once people became aware of the problem and how they could help prevent it the occurrence of TSS decreased to about 1 in every 100,000 menstruating women.

Now however toxic shock syndrome seems to be increasing again. This time it's not only in menstruating women but in non-menstruating women, men and even boys and girls as well. A study, done by a research team from the University of Minnesota, showed that in the Twin Cities metro area there was rise in the occurrence of TSS from 2000 to 2004. The findings of the Centers for Disease also showed an 18 percent increase in the occurrences of TSS at the same time. The estimated number of occurrences in 2004 was about 5 in every 100,000 menstrual women. And this number does not including the many incidents in those who are not menstrual women.

Toxic shock syndrome is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. One theory is that men, women and children as well become more susceptible to toxic shock syndrome after having surgery, if they have an open wound or following having the flu.

The symptoms of TSS are high fever, body aches, headache, profound malaise (an undefined, general feeling of discomfort), vomiting sometimes followed by diarrhea, a rash that looks similar to a sunburn, redness in eyes, mouth and throat, sore throat, low blood pressure and in advanced TSS dizziness and confusion.