A 41-year-old member asked:
What is toxic shock syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 56 years experience
TSS: High fever, vomiting, diarrhea, mental changes and rash, often on extremities and face. This progresses to shock and may be fatal, it is generally due to toxin production by either staph or strep. There were a series of cases associated with tampon use in the 1980's which rapidly tapered off with changes in the make-up of the vaginal inserts. Not a very common syndrome, but quite severe.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 46-year-old member asked:
How do they test for toxic shock syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Ahmad M Hadiedanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 49 years experience
Blood,urine,vaginal : And throat sample.There's no one specific test for toxic shock syndrome. You may need to provide blood and urine samples to test for the presence of a staph or strep infection. Samples from the vagina, cervix and throat may be swabbed for laboratory analysis.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
What is the treatment for toxic shock syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Wayne Ingramanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Several days/weeks: If the treatment is intensive before it becomes a full blown cardiac emergency- days. If ICU care is involved, then weeks after antibiotics, blood replacement, and sometimes d.I.C.(clotting problems) occasionally, if the diagnosis is missed or not treated soon enough, death is the result.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 39-year-old member asked:
What is the duration of toxic shock syndrome?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Carlo Hatemanswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 25 years experience
2 or 3 days: Once treatment is started you can expect improvement in 24 to 48 hrs. After shock is resolved you will need to continue antibiotics.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 25-year-old member asked:
Can toxic shock syndrome be fatal?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bonnie Bockanswered
Infectious Disease 47 years experience
Yes rarely: In the 1980's toxic shock syndrome(tss) was associated with tampons in women who had a strain of toxin- producing staph that caused blood pressure to drop(shock), & complications including kidney failure; it was fatal in patients who were severly ill. Tss occurs rarely with infection with this staph on the skin or after surgery. It is still fatal in some patients even with superb treatment.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
How does you contract toxic shock syndrome?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Carlo Hatemanswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 25 years experience
Tampons: Tampons are the usual culprit in toxic shock. They can get contaminated during insertion, they can scratch the skin, opening the door for bacteria to get in.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Nov 19, 2013
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.