Skip to main content

FreeFlow Fast Facts - Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

 


What is it?

 

TSS is a rare but serious and life-threatening condition that is caused by toxins released by two specific bacteria Streptococcus pyognes or Straphylococcus aureus, that enters the bloodstream. It often occurs from tampon and menstrual cup use.

 

What are the symptoms?

 

§  A fever above 39C

§  Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle ache, chills, headache

§  Widespread sunburn-like rash

§  Low blood pressure

§  Nausea and/or vomiting

§  Dizziness 

§  Confusion

§  Diarrhoea

§  Redness of eyes, lip and tongue

§  Seizures

§  Peeling of the skin on palms and soles of feet

§  Decreased urine output

§  Bruising

 

See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms, especially if you have recently used tampons or have a skin or wound infection.

 

What causes it?

 

As already mentioned above, it is caused by bacteria that enters the bloodstream. Around half of reported cases have been linked to tampon use in menstruating women, with the remaining cases occurring in other circumstances. Although it is often linked to tampon use in menstruating women, it can affect any gender and age. TSS has been associated with having skin infections via cuts or burns on your skin, recent surgery, using contraceptive sponge or diaphragm, using superabsorbent tampons or menstrual cups, recent childbirth, or miscarriage, and having a viral infection.

 

Complications

 

TSS can progress rapidly. Complications may include:

 

§  Shock

§  Renal failure

§  Death

§  Amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs

 

How is it diagnosed?

 

No specific test can diagnose TSS but there will usually be a physical examination and assessment of history. Diagnostic tests may include a blood test and a urine test to test for the presence of a staph or strep infection.

 

How is it treated?

 

TSS is a medical emergency, and it requires prompt care. If you have TSS, you’ll be admitted to an intensive care unit, and treatment may include:

 

§  Antibiotics for the infection

§  Oxygen to help breath

§  Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and organ damage

§  Medicine to regulate blood pressure

§  Dialysis if your kidneys are failing

§  Surgery or amputation of affected area (rare)

 

How to prevent it?

 

To prevent TSS, it is important to maintain good menstrual hygiene. 

 

§  You should change your menstrual hygiene products every 4 to 8 hours.

§  If you have had TSS before, avoid using tampons because the chances of reinfection are high.

§  Use menstrual pads instead of tampons or use low absorbency tampons or alternate between tampons and pads.

§  Wash hands before and after inserting tampons.

 

Also, keep all wounds clean and bandaged, and check for signs of infection.

 

Minimise usage of vaginal foreign body items such as tampons, diaphragms, and sponges.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Periods and the impact on girls education.

<a href='https://www.freepik.com/vectors/background'>Background vector created by pikisuperstar - www.freepik.com</a> This blog post is dedicated to the International Day of the Girl Child, which takes place every October 11. In addressing challenges faced by girls, an important one to overcome is unequal access to education for the girl child. To achieve a more inclusive educational environment, one of the barriers that needs to be tackled is periods - because menstruation should not be a barrier to education! To illuminate just how periods are currently affecting girls' education around the world, here are some statistics from MHDay ( menstrualhygieneday.org ) : In the United States, 1 out of 4 students have struggled to afford period products. In Pakistan, 3 out of 4 girls don't receive education about menstruation in school. In Bhutan, 1 in 3 girls miss school during menstruation because they're afraid others will make fun of them. In South Africa, 1...
Post a Comment
Read more

Freeflow Fast Facts - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

  September is here and you may not know that it is also PCOS Awareness month! PCOS is a very common yet under-diagnosed condition. This is partly due to the lack of awareness of what the symptoms are and how they can be treated, and there are some misconceptions floating around too. So, this PCOS Awareness Month, we at Freeflow want to help bridge the gap on awareness. This month's blog, you guessed it, will be all about PCOS and you'll you'll get the answers to some common questions people have about the condition. What exactly is PCOS? First thing's first, for those who don't already know, PCOS is the abbreviated form of polycystic ovary syndrome. It is characterised with: high levels of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone, which contribute to male pattern hair loss/thinning, and hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair growth irregular periods , which may lead to fertility problems as ovulation is irregular polycystic ovaries , they cysts are fluid-...
Post a Comment
Read more