What Causes Toxic Shock Syndrome?

What exactly causes toxic shock syndrome exactly is not known. However, we do have a multitude of insight on how this potentially life threatening condition occurs. When the Staph or Strep bacteria has the right environment it will grow rapidly and release the toxic poisons, which must enter the bloodstream.

Since TSS is most commonly associated with menstruating women, we shall address this first. Staph naturally occurs, and is harmless, in a women’s vagina. Doctors speculate that when a women inserts a tampon, microscopic tears along the vagina wall occur and tiny blood vessels rupture. This makes it easy for the bacterial poisons to enter into the bloodstream. If a tampon is left in too long, or used when blood flow is light, it can dry out vagina. This makes a women much more susceptible to these tears. An overly saturated tampon is a supportive place for rapid bacterial growth. Certain types of fabrics are linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Polyester foam seems to support this growth more than cotton or rayon fibers (WebMD). Furthermore, when cervical caps, diaphragms, and sponges (all birth control methods) are left in for too long, they pose a threat for the development of TSS.

Chances for women increase if she has recently given birth.

Please see my post titled Prevention for a safe alternative to conventional period products.

Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome

As we have mentioned before men, women, and children can get contract this disease. In fact, 50% of all cases are not associated with menstruating women (MedScape). When strep bacteria is present in parts of the body that bacteria is not usually found it is referred to as Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome, or TSLS (Higuera). Examples of places that this bacteria may be found in are blood, mucus, muscles, or lungs. Even though this type of infection is not associated with tampon use, symptoms and treatment are identical. Those with burns, wounds, prostatic devices, or recent surgery are at risk.

According to Health Line.com this risk increases if the person is:

-          Diabetic

-          An alcoholic

-          Has Chickenpox

-          Has undergone surgery

30% of people who contract TSS or TSLS get it again.

How does the bacteria effect my body?

Death occurs in the body when as a response from the overgrowth of bacteria and the toxic poisons released by this bacteria enter the bloodstream. Specifically, this results in a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure is referred to as Hypotension. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines hypotension as “abnormally low blood pressure, or the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood”. Hypotension is characterized specifically as blood pressure that is lower than 90/60 mmHg. What happens when blood pressure drops is the organs are at risk of oxygen starvation. Most people are affected in that their lungs and heart stops working due to oxygen depletion.

High fever, rash, vomiting may occur. Please see the post titled Symptoms to learn more about what to look for. If you are using tampons, cervical cap, diaphragm, or sponge and you experience illness, remove item immediately and call your doctor.

References:

WebMD. (2015). Understanding Toxic Shock Syndrome—the basics. What Causes Toxic Shock Syndrome? Web MD; Women’s Health. Retrieved 10, Oct. 2015 from http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-toxic-shock-syndrome-basics?page=2

Higuera, Valencia. (n.d.) Toxic Shock Syndrome: Overview. Health Line. Retrieved 21, Oct. 2015 from http://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome#Overview1