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Medical Author:

Joseph S Bushra, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. 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.

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Toxic Shock Syndrome Prognosis

Toxic shock syndrome is a serious, life-threatening disease. Early medical care is the key to ensuring the best possibility of survival. People who survive toxic shock syndrome usually improve within 48 hours and can be discharged from the hospital within one week.

• Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome: Less than 5% of women with toxic shock syndrome caused by S. aureus (including menstrual related) die.
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: The form of toxic shock syndrome caused by S. pyogenes is more severe and causes death in about 30% of people.