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Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome

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A rare, life-threatening complication of certain bacterial infections. It is often linked to the use of tampons and female contraceptives such as the diaphragm.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this

39 year experience in Internal Medicine

Is a type of:

Sepsis • Systemic inflammatory response syndrome

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Rare
Baby
0-2
Very common
Preteen
6-13
Very common
Teenager
14-18
Very common
Young adult
19-40
Very common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Very common

Symptoms

Abdominal discomfort
Muscle pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Toxic shock syndrome
Vancomycin
3.8
13 reviews
Clindamycin phosphate
3.7
16 reviews
Oxacillin
3.4
8 reviews
Penicillin
3
18 reviews
Mupirocin
2.0
23 reviews
Load more

Procedures

Ratings show how effective doctors think these procedures are at treating Toxic shock syndrome

Surgery

Dialysis
2.6
13 reviews

Other treatments

Supportive care
ICU care

Tests

Ionized calcium
Creatine kinase
Liver function test
Urinalysis
Kidney function tests
Load more

Risk factors

Personal

Recent surgery
Antibiotic use
Recent sore throat
Recent dental procedure

Related questions

A 41-year old asked:

What is toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

Is toxic shock syndrome serious?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

What causes toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome?

5 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

Can men get toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

How does one get toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 22-year old female asked:

How common is tss (toxic shock syndrome)?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

What are the signs of toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

How does you contract toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 18-year old female asked:

I have possible toxic shock syndrome help?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

How concerning is this toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

How to tell if I have toxic shock syndrome!?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What is the duration of toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

Could you get toxic shock syndrome from a pad?

3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

What are the first signs of toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

What are the first symptoms of toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

What are the symptoms of tss (toxic shock syndrome)?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 30-year old asked:

Is it possible for a man to get toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

Is it possible for a baby to get toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

How long does it take to develop toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

How to know if I am suffering from toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What is my risk of getting toxic shock syndrome (tss) risk?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

How long can it take for toxic shock syndrome to affect you?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: Toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

What are signs that someone is in the midst of toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What to do if I have really been worried about toxic shock syndrome?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

Toxic shock syndrome: how do you get it, how common is it, what are the symptoms and how is it treated?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 25-year old asked:

Can toxic shock syndrome be fatal?

2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old male asked:

How can you get toxic shock syndrome from tampons?

2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

I use tampons, how likely am I to suffer from toxic shock syndrome?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

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