Toxic shock syndrome is caused by an infection by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria , which produce toxins that interact with the immune system, leading to symptoms such as fever, red skin rashes, increased capillary permeability and hypotension which, if not treated, can cause multiple organ failure or even death.
This rare syndrome usually occurs in menstruating women who use tampon with a lot of absorption or for a long time, or people who have a cut, wound, infected and badly treated insect bite, or who have an infection caused by S. aureus or S. pyogenes, such as throat infection, impetigo or infectious cellulitis, for example.
Treatment should be done as soon as possible and usually consists of antibiotics, medicines to normalize blood pressure and fluids to prevent dehydration.
What symptoms
Toxic shock syndrome can lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, scaling of the feet and hands, cyanosis of the extremities, kidney and liver dysfunction, headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
In more severe cases, muscle impairment, rapidly progressing acute renal and liver failure, heart failure and seizures may occur.
Possible causes
Toxic shock syndrome can be caused by a toxin released by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.
Women who use vaginal tampons have an increased risk of suffering from this syndrome, especially if the tampon remains in the vagina for a long time or if it has a high absorptive power, which may be due to the attraction of bacteria to the tampon or the occurrence of small cuts in the vagina when it is placed. Learn how to properly use the tampon to prevent infection.
In addition, this syndrome can also result from the use of the diaphragm or complications in case of mastitis, sinusitis, infectious cellulitis, throat infection, osteomyelitis, arthritis, burns, skin lesions, respiratory infections, postpartum or after surgical procedures, for example.
How to prevent
To prevent toxic shock syndrome, a woman should change the tampon every 4-8 hours, use a low-absorbent tampon or menstrual cup and, always change, wash her hands thoroughly. If you suffer from any skin lesion, you must keep the cut, wound or burn well disinfected.
How the treatment is done
Treatment should be carried out as soon as possible, in order to avoid complications, such as liver and kidney failure, heart failure or shock, which can lead to death.
Treatment consists of the administration of antibiotics intravenously, medicines to stabilize blood pressure, fluids to prevent dehydration and injections of immunoglobulin, to suppress inflammation and strengthen the immune system.
In addition, if necessary, the doctor can administer oxygen to assist respiratory function and, if necessary, proceed to drain and remove infected regions.
