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TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME (TSS) was discovered almost 20 years ago. At first no one knew what was causing it, although it was quickly linked with "superabsorbent" tampons (which are no longer on the market). Eventually researchers discovered that a poison produced by a type of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for TSS. Some theorized that tampons may produce small ulcerations, which allow bacteria to enter the body. Another theory is that stagnating blood within or behind the tampon may permit the bacteria to grow. Most cases of toxic shock syndrome have been associated with tampon use.
However, a few have been reported in women who use a diaphragm for birth control, or during the first few weeks after childbirth. A very few cases have occurred in men and in children. SYMPTOMS Several signs and symptoms can accompany TSS, including &# 61623; high fever (101 o F or higher). &# 61623; shock (severely low blood pressure, which affects the bodys functioning). &# 61623; sunburn-like rash (usually after a day or two). To prevent TSS, make sure you change your tampons frequently, wash your hands before inserting one, and wear sanitary napkins some of the time especially at night. If youve ever had TSS, its best to stop using tampons and the diaphragm, as the condition can recur. If youre a diaphragm user, dont leave it in place longer than the recommended time and don't use it during your period or in the first 12 weeks after youve had a baby.
If you suspect you might be starting to have TSS symptoms and are wearing a tampon, remove it right away. This stops bacterial growth in 80 % of cases. Also make sure you visit a doctor as soon as possible. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), rare disease associated with strains of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, a common inhabitant of the skin, oral cavity, and vagina. Under certain conditions the bacterium produces a toxin that apparently attacks the immune system through the bloodstream, in turn permitting more toxin to be produced. Liver function is also altered, resulting in liver and kidney damage.
Symptoms of TSS include rash, high fever, lowered blood pressure, diarrhea, and vomiting. TSS has caused death in about 3 percent of reported cases. The disease can be treated with antibiotics. The first identifiable case of TSS dates back many years, but the disease only drew great attention in the United States in the late 1970 s, when an outbreak led to fears of an epidemic. A few thousand victims were eventually involved, about 80 percent of whom were menstruating women. Almost all of them were using superabsorbent tampons, which apparently provided a more oxygen-rich atmosphere in which vaginal bacteria could readily produce their toxin.
When women began to use such tampons only intermittently or not at all, the outbreak subsided. "Toxic Shock Syndrome, " Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2000 web 1997 - 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. acute, sometimes fatal, disease characterized by high fever, nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, blotchy rash, and sudden drop in blood pressure. It is caused by several toxin-producing strains of bacteria, particularly streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria. Streptococcal forms, in which the bacterium typically enters the body through a cut, are more common. Staphylococcal toxic shock is most prevalent among menstruating women using high absorbency tampons.
The Concise Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Third Edition Copyright 1994, Columbia University Press. In the 1980 's, an undiagnosed illness struck young menstruating women. The illness was serious and some of these women died. They had toxic shock syndrome, or TSS. Since the 1980 's, scientists have learned about toxic shock syndrome, and fortunately the number of cases has dropped dramatically. TSS is a rare but lethal illness.
It is caused by a toxin released by a common bacteria found on people's hands and in their mouths. TSS is a toxic poisoning, rather than an infection. The syndrome develops when the proper conditions are present to allow the bacteria to grow and produce the deadly toxin. Women who are under 30 and who use high absorbency tampons during menstruation are most at risk.
The relationship between tampon use and TSS is still under investigation. It was discovered that TSS occured in males and females who had bacterial infections (such as infected wounds, skin abscesses or vaginal infections) which produced the lethal toxin. 1. Fever greater than 38. 9 degrees Celsius. 2. Low blood pressure, which may cause fainting when standing up. 6. Sunburn-like rash which results in severe peeling in 1 - 2 weeks.
The symptoms can occur suddenly and may be confused with illness like the flu or measles. If the toxin gets into the nervous system, it may cause headaches, confusion or unconsciousness. It may lead to shock, or invade the heart or kidneys. If your health care practitioner suspects TSS, immediate admission to the hospital is vital as a TSS victim may die without proper medical attention. Today, almost all TSS victims recover because the symptoms and diagnosis are available to medical personnel.
Preventative health measures have resulted in public education and the reduction of the number of cases of TSS. To prevent TSS, follow the warning inserts enclosed in tampon boxes or don't use tampons at all. The story and pictures below may be disturbing to sensitive persons. I take this opportunity to present important, yet lesser-known truths about preventable health risks to women from lack of information about tampon ingredients and use. After nearly 5 years of gathering this information, it is my opinion that the leading manufacturers of tampons are well aware that many women will become gravely ill, suffer and die after using their products.
It is in their power to reduce the incidence of tampon-related Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in women. Because of its relationship to menstruation and the use of tampons, TSS has not received adequate attention from medical and government authorities, as have other fatal diseases. It is classified as a "rare" disease. This classification gives women a false sense of security about our chances of getting Toxic Shock. The truth is, that it is no more "rare" than certain forms of cancer and AIDS. Market research professionals are hired by tampon companies to find out why people buy products.
The companies spend millions of dollars for "consumer surveys" and "focus groups" to find out what women think about tampons. They know very well that menstruation is a taboo topic of conversation for many people (How many of us talk about our periods with co-workers or classmates? ). Strangely, we talk about perspiration, pimples, having "to go to the bathroom" and other normal bodily functions in mixed company without embarassment, while treating conversation about the miracle of female fertility as shameful. Using this kind of information has given companies power to keep potentially damaging information about their products away from people, and enables them to twist the "facts" so that most of us might never know what kinds of chances we are really taking. Women, all of us, need to think about the products that we buy, why they are (or are not) available in stores, who decides what we can buy, and the consequences of those decisions. Every dollar that we spend on products made by companies who refuse to take responsibility for problems with their products, lets these companies "get away" with creating pollution, death and suffering.
Dioxin, a by-product of chlorine, is a proven killer; chlorine-treated rayon fibers are contained in all leading brands of tampons. What's really scary about this, is that dioxin also weakens the immune system, our ability to fight disease. This means that a woman with dioxin in her body who gets TSS, may have even less ability to fight the disease. All women who grow up in North America have already accumulated dioxin in the fatty tissue in their bodies. Of course, tampon companies must know this too, must't they? Cigarette manufacturers were forced to admit that cigarettes cause death and illness only after enough people knew the facts and demanded that appropriate action be taken.
Now, every package of cigarettes sold in North America has a warning about the dangers of smoking. We know that smoking is dangerous, and we can choose for ourselves whether or not we want to take that risk. The damage caused by tampons isn't so clear yet; consequently, about 90 % of cases of tampon-related TSS are never diagnosed. This means that a woman can suffer or die from the disease, and neither she nor her family will ever really know why. This story is about the miracle of a mother and daughter's continuing struggle to survive the effects of this deadly disease.
It offers the reader an opportunity to see, first-hand, the real consequences of decisions to buy products from companies who care more about their shareholders than their customers. Jamie Cash: Abaco's Miracle Teenager Jamie Cash was 13 years old at the time. A happy, active teenager, she enjoyed the things that young women enjoy: music, school, friends, sports, and especially, swimming. Jamie's parents loved their daughter and her 7 -year old brother; they were working hard to give their family a good life. Carrie Cash, Jamie's mother, found a business that allowed her the flexibility to be there for her children. She was proud that Jamie was an excellent swimmer with potential scholarship abilities.
As a matter of fact, she was her swim coach! The family lived well, loved each other, and were happy. One day, Toxic Shock Syndrome changed their have...
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