Toxic Shock Syndrome
Medical Author:
Joseph S Bushra, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Toxic Shock Syndrome OverviewToxic 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 (at least three 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 TSS to women using "highly absorbent" tampons, was recognized. Viewer Comments & ReviewsToxic Shock Syndrome - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What symptoms did you experience with toxic shock syndrome? |
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Toxic Shock Syndrome
Topic Overview
What is toxic shock syndrome?
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare illness that happens suddenly after an infection. It quickly can harm several different organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver, and it can be deadly. Since toxic shock syndrome gets worse quickly, it requires medical treatment right away.
What causes toxic shock syndrome?
An infection caused by strep or staph bacteria can lead to toxic shock syndrome. These bacteria are common and usually don't cause problems. But they make toxins that can cause toxic shock syndrome. In rare cases, the toxins enter the bloodstream and cause a severe immune reaction. This reaction causes the symptoms of TSS.
- Strep toxic shock syndrome most often occurs after childbirth, the flu (influenza), chickenpox, surgery, minor skin cuts or wounds, or injuries that cause bruising but may not break the skin.
- Staph toxic shock syndrome most often occurs after a tampon is ke...
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Toxic Shock Syndrome »
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a toxin-mediated multisystem disease precipitated by infection with either Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus (GAS), also called Streptococcus pyogenes.
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