What causes TSS?

Answer 1

Staph bacteria often are present in and on your body and typically cause no problems. Researchers don't know exactly how tampons may cause toxic shock syndrome. Some believe that when superabsorbent tampons are left in place for a long time, the tampons become a breeding ground for bacteria. Others have suggested that the superabsorbent fibers in the tampons can scratch the surface of the vagina, making it possible for bacteria or their toxins to enter the bloodstream.

The brand of tampons associated with the original toxic shock syndrome epidemic in the 1980s was voluntarily taken off the market by the manufacturer. After that, the number of cases of toxic shock syndrome declined dramatically.

It's not just young, menstruating women who can develop toxic shock syndrome. Older women, men and children also can become infected. Toxic shock syndrome has occurred in women who had been wearing a diaphragm or a contraceptive sponge. It's possible for anyone to develop toxic shock syndrome in the course of a staph infection. The syndrome may occur because of skin wounds or surgery.

Answer 2

The strep or staph bacteria that produce the toxins that cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS) are common, but they are usually not harmful. Most of the time, these bacteria cause only mild infections of the throat, such as strep throat, or of the skin, such as impetigo. In rare cases, however, the toxins produced by the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause a severe, rapidly progressing immune reaction.

The immune reaction that leads to toxic shock syndrome is typically linked to a lack of specific antibodies against a strep or staph toxin. Younger people are less likely than adults to have developed these antibodies.

Outbreaks of TSS can occur in hospitals and long-term care facilities where people live in close surroundings.

Answer 3

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by a bacterial toxin. It can be caused by leaving your tampon in too long (ie, longer than 5 or 6 hours). Change your tampon regularly to prevent it from drying out your vaginal walls and causing ulcerations through with the bacteria can enter your blood stream. It can also be caused by cut and scrapes, where the bateria and toxins can enter your body as well.

Answer 4

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a bacterial infection that effects women who use tampons, contraseptive sponge or diaphram.They think that the bacteria breeds in these areas because tampons and the like provide a warm environment in which bacteria can flourish. It can also occur when bacteria is able to get to wounds or inceisions but in that case it is very rare to happen.

Answer 5

If you're a girl who's had her period, you may have heard frightening stories about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a serious illness originally linked to the use of tampons. But TSS isn't strictly related to tampons. The contraceptive sponge and the diaphragm, two types of birth control methods, have been linked to TSS. And, sometimes, the infection has occurred as a result of wounds or surgery, where the skin has been broken, allowing bacteria to enter.

Toxic shock syndrome can happen to anyone — men, women, and children. Although it can be serious, it's a very rare illness. If you're concerned about toxic shock syndrome, the smartest thing you can do is to read and learn about it, then take some precautions.

What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
TSS is a systemic illness, which means that it affects the whole body. It can be caused by one of two different types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes — although toxic shock that is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria is rarer. These bacteria can produce toxins. In some people whose bodies can't fight these toxins, the immune system reacts. This reaction causes the symptoms associated with TSS.

When people think of TSS, they often think of tampon use. That's because the earliest cases of the illness, back in the late 1970s, were related to superabsorbent tampons. Research led to better tampons and better habits for using them — such as changing tampons more often. The number of TSS cases dropped dramatically. Today about half of all TSS cases are linked to menstruation.

Aside from tampon use, TSS has been linked to skin infections that are typically minor and can be associated with the chickenpox rash. TSS has also been reported following surgical procedures, giving birth, and prolonged use of nasal packing for nosebleeds — although all of these are rare.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Symptoms of TSS occur suddenly. Because it's an illness that is caused by a toxin, many of the body's organ systems are affected. The signs and symptoms of TSS include:

high fever (greater than 102° Fahrenheit [38.8° Celsius])
rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting)
sunburn-like rash on the entire body
vomiting and diarrhea
severe muscle aches or weakness
bright red coloring of the eyes, throat, and vagina
headache, confusion, disorientation, or seizures
kidney and other organ failure
The average time before symptoms appear for TSS is 2 to 3 days after an infection with Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, although this can vary depending on the cause of the infection.

Can I Prevent TSS?
The risk of getting TSS is already low. But you can reduce it still further by simply following some common-sense precautions:

Clean and bandage any skin wounds.
Change bandages regularly, rather than keeping them on for several days.
Check wounds for signs of infection. If a wound gets red, swollen, painful, or tender, or if you develop a fever, call your doctor right away.
If you're a girl whose period has started, the best way to avoid TSS is to use sanitary napkins instead of tampons.
For girls who prefer to use tampons, select the ones with the lowest absorbency that can handle your menstrual flow and change them frequently. You can also alternate the use of tampons with sanitary napkins.
If you've already had an episode of TSS or have been infected with S. aureus, don't use tampons or contraceptive devices that have been associated with TSS (such as diaphragms and contraceptive sponges).
What Do Doctors Do?
TSS is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone you know may have TSS, call a doctor right away. Depending on the symptoms, a doctor may see you in the office or refer you to a hospital emergency department for immediate evaluation and testing.

If doctors suspect TSS, they will probably start intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics as soon as possible. They may take a sample from the suspected site of the infection, such as the skin, nose, or vagina, to check it for TSS. They may also take a blood sample. Other blood tests can help monitor how various organs like the kidneys are working and check for other diseases that may be causing the symptoms.

Medical staff will remove tampons, contraceptive devices, or wound packing; clean any wounds; and, if there is a pocket of infection (called an abscess), a doctor may need to drain pus from the infected area.

People with TSS typically need to stay in the hospital, often in the intensive care unit, for several days to closely monitor blood pressure, respiratory status, and to look for signs of other problems, such as organ damage.

TSS is a very rare illness that's usually not fatal if recognized and treated promptly.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: January 2007
Originally reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD

Answer 6

Read the insert that comes with EVERY pack of tampons. There are many factors. Or you can Google or Yahoo it. Check www.webmd.com as well.
Basically put tampons are most commonly the cause not just the tampon itself but improper use like not changing them in time using a bigger size than you need ...

Answer 7

the main cause is wearing a tampon when not bleeding or wearing it for far too long

read the link for all the info on this