Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare illness that happens suddenly after an infection. It quickly can harm several different organs, including the lungs, the kidneys, and the liver. And it can be deadly. Since toxic shock syndrome gets worse quickly, it requires medical treatment right away.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) symptoms get worse quickly and can be deadly within days. Symptoms include:

• Sudden fever.
• Signs of shock, including low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat; nausea; vomiting; or fainting or feeling lightheaded, restless, or confused.
• A rash that looks like a sunburn. The rash can be on several areas of your body or just in certain places, such as the armpits or the groin.
• Severe pain in an infected wound or injury.

Other TSS symptoms may include:

• Severe flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches, stomach cramps, a headache, or a sore throat.
• Redness inside the nose and mouth.
• Pinkeye (conjunctivitis).
• Scaling, peeling skin, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Having sudden, severe symptoms is one of the most important clues that you may have toxic shock syndrome. If you think you have TSS, get medical care right away.

Doctors usually diagnose toxic shock syndrome based on your symptoms. Tests can help show whether staph or strep bacteria are causing the infection. Tests you may need include:

• Blood tests.
• Tests on body fluids or tissues.
• A chest X-ray, to look for signs of damage to the lungs.
• Tests to rule out other infections, such as an infection of the blood (sepsis), Rocky Mountain spotted fever, leptospirosis, and typhoid fever.

Treatment for toxic shock syndrome (TSS) almost always takes place in a hospital. Treatment includes:

• Removing the source of the infection or cleaning the wound.
• Treating complications, such as shock or liver, kidney, and lung failure.
• Using antibiotics and other medicines to fight the infection.

Sometimes surgery is needed if TSS developed after surgery or if the infection is destroying the skin and soft tissue (necrotizing fasciitis).

• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Talk to your doctor before you use tampons or some barrier forms of birth control. These include a diaphragm and the cervical cap or sponge. They can increase your chances of getting toxic shock syndrome again.
• Keep all wounds clean. This includes cuts, burns, sores, and bites.