What is staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome?
Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an illness caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. The illness became widely recognized in 1980 among women who used tampons. Since then, the cases associated with menstruation have decreased to about 55% of all cases, while other risk factors have been found such as use of diaphragms and vaginal contraceptive sponges and infection following childbirth, abortion, and surgery. Who gets staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome? Those at highest risk of infection include: • menstruating women using tampons or other inserted devices, • persons (male and female) with S. aureus infection of some other body site, • women using diaphragms or contraceptive sponges. Where are organisms found? Staphylococcus aureus can be found anywhere. It is normal for strains of the bacteria to live in the nose and moist body areas in approximately 30% of humans. How is staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome spread? Although S. aureus is spread from person-to-perso
