Are Feminine Hygiene Products Still Rubbing You the Wrong Way?
Are we any better since the tampon scare settled down? The big tampon scare of 1980 put new fear in the hearts of women and their families: what they were inserting into the vagina could be toxic. The culprit was a Rely brand of tampon that caused Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS has a fatality rate of 6%. What Causes TSS? What are the Symptoms? Toxins from Staph aureus or Streptococci, which are generally part of the normal flora, cause TSS. When the diagnosis is made, IV antibiotics are administered, if the disease is caught in time. Once a woman gets TSS, she is susceptible to getting it again. TSS Survey Facts: In the Terra Femme Tampon Health Survey, more than 1000 women were interviewed about tampon use. An average of 25% reported 4 or more symptoms of TSS. Three percent had been diagnosed with TSS. (6 major symptoms=TSS) Symptoms of TSS include: flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, sunburn-like
