Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening illness caused by toxins produced by certain bacteria. It can affect anyone and is associated with several situations, including skin wounds, surgery, childbirth, and tampon use. Symptoms can become severe quickly, so prompt emergency care matters.
Toxic shock syndrome symptoms
Possible symptoms include a sudden high temperature, flu-like aches, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness or fainting, confusion, a widespread rash, breathing difficulty, or skin that looks unusually pale, blue, grey, or blotchy. Not everyone has every symptom.
If you think you may have toxic shock syndrome, seek emergency medical help immediately. Remove a tampon or menstrual cup if one is in place, but do not delay calling emergency services. Tell the medical team about recent tampon use, wounds, surgery, burns, or infections. The NHS toxic shock syndrome guide lists symptoms and emergency steps.
What causes toxic shock syndrome?
TSS occurs when toxins from certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus enter the bloodstream and trigger a severe immune response. These bacteria can live on the skin or in the nose without causing illness. TSS develops only in uncommon circumstances.
Tampons and toxic shock syndrome risk
Toxic shock syndrome linked with tampons is rare. Tampon-associated TSS is rare, but the risk is not zero. Higher absorbency and leaving a tampon in longer than directed can increase risk. A person who has previously had TSS should ask a healthcare professional whether internal menstrual products are appropriate.
FDA tampon safety steps
- Use the lowest absorbency needed for your flow.
- Change each tampon every 4 to 8 hours and never wear one longer than 8 hours.
- Use tampons only during menstruation.
- Wash your hands before and after insertion.
- Follow the package directions and use each tampon only once.
- Contact a healthcare professional for pain, fever, unusual discharge, or other unexpected symptoms.
Following these steps can reduce toxic shock syndrome risk, though no method eliminates it. These steps come from the FDA’s current tampon-safety guidance.
Other situations linked with TSS
Toxic shock syndrome can also follow infected wounds, burns, surgery, nasal packing, or childbirth. Keep wounds clean according to medical instructions and seek care for spreading redness, severe pain, pus, fever, or rapidly worsening illness. TSS is not only a menstrual-product issue.
Choosing period products safely
Pads, period underwear, and other external products are alternatives for people who do not want to use tampons. Menstrual cups also require careful cleaning and adherence to the manufacturer’s wear-time instructions. No product choice replaces attention to sudden systemic symptoms.
Read our tampon absorbency guide for help matching absorbency to flow. This article provides general information and is not a diagnosis or substitute for emergency care.
