Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome is a serious but uncommon bacterial infection. Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but potentially serious illness that can develop quickly in anyone – men, women and children. Other risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds and surgery. Menstruating women are most susceptible, and it is thought that the infection is associated with tampon use. Bacteria that have infected some part of the body release these toxins. It can be caused by one of two different types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes - although toxic shock that is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria is rarer. These bacteria are known to proliferate in the presence of foreign particles in human infections, and it has been postulated that the tampons acted as foreign particles, allowing toxin-producing staphylococci to multiply in the vagina. People with toxic shock syndrome develop high fever, rash, low blood pressure, and failure of multiple organ systems in the body. The disease is now known to also exist in men, neonates, and nonmenstruating women.

Toxic shock syndrome is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. There are steps you can take to prevent TSS. Hand washing can play an important role in guarding against TSS. The number of TSS cases dropped dramatically. Today about half of all TSS cases are linked to menstruation. Signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome develop suddenly, and the disease can be fatal. Toxic shock syndrome was first found in children in 1978. Tampons made with rayon do not appear to have a higher risk of TSS than cotton tampons of similar absorbency. Colonization or infection with certain strains of S aureus and GAS is followed by the production of 1 or more toxins. These toxins are absorbed systemically and produce the systemic manifestations of TSS in people who lack a protective antitoxin antibody.

Causes of Toxic shock syndrome

The common causes and risk factor's of Toxic shock syndrome include the following:

• A bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus.
• Use of superabsorbent tampons.
• Some cases of toxic shock syndrome are caused by Streptococcus pyogenes , the same bacterium that causes strep throat.
• Viral infection with influenza A or varicella.
• Foreign bodies or packings (such as those used to stop nosebleeds).
• Any skin wound, such as those from chickenpox.
• History of childbirth or abortion.

Symptoms of Toxic shock syndrome

Some symptoms related to Toxic shock syndrome are as follows:

• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Headache (very common).
• Diarrhea (profuse and watery).
• Widespread red rash resembling a sunburn.
• Nausea and Vomiting.
• Muscle aches.
• Hypotension (low blood pressure).
• Decreased liver function.
• Bruising due to low blood platelet count.
• Difficulty breathing.

Treatment od Toxic shock syndrome

Here is list of the methods for treating Toxic shock syndrome:

• Cardiac medications in patients with very low blood pressure.
• Administration of intravenous fluid to treat shock and prevent organ damage.
• Dialysis may be required in persons who develop kidney failure.
• Antibiotic therapy is also used and in some cases, intravenous immunoglobulin may be required.
• If organ failure occurs, oxygen, the use of a respirator, or kidney dialysis may be necessary.
• Deep surgical cleaning of an infected wound.

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