Toxic Shock Syndrome

Disease Prevention in Women Slideshow

• Toxic Shock Syndrome Overview
• Toxic Shock Syndrome Causes
• Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Toxic Shock Syndrome Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related toxic shock syndrome articles:
  Toxic shock syndrome - on WebMD

Toxic Shock Syndrome Overview

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening illness that is caused by toxins (poisons) that circulate in the bloodstream. Bacteria that have infected some part of the body release these toxins. People with toxic shock syndrome develop high fever, rash, low blood pressure, and failure of multiple organ systems in the body.

Toxic shock syndrome was first found in children in 1978. However, toxic shock syndrome did not become familiar until an epidemic in 1981, linked to women using tampons.