I had a friend that was diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome. What is it?
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is the bodys response to a toxin produced by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. We all have bacteria throughout our bodies, and in fact we need them to have our bodies function properly. Up to 50% of people will carry this particular strain of bacteria at any given time. Most of the time, it does not cause us any harm, and many of us have natural resistance to the toxin it produces. However, if you have a break in your skin (like a cut from shaving, a surgical wound, or an abrasion in your vagina from using a tampon) and your immune system does not respond, an infection can develop from this bacteria. This is very rare, but can be life threatening. Once the bacteria enter the wound and multiply, they begin to release the toxin. This toxin can cause a high fever, rash, muscle pains, vomiting and diarrhea, and leave you feeling generally unwell (like a severe bout of the flu that does not go away). As time passes, it can cause the blood pressure to drop
