Toxic Shock Syndrome - True or False Quiz

Answer: False

TSS is a bacterial infection. A bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus (that normally lives harmlessly on the skin, and in the nose, armpit, groin or vagina of one in every three people), can occasionally produce toxins that cause TSS.

Answer: True

It is rare, but there have been cases of TSS in men and children.

Answer: True

Also a sunburn-like rash, disorientation, liver or kidney problems and a sore throat.

Answer: False

If you think you might have TSS then you should always remove a tampon as this prevents bacteria growth in about 80% of cases. You should still seek medical assistance.

Answer: True

Women who have had TSS once are more at risk of getting it again. They are normally advised against wearing tampons or using a diaphragm.

Answer: False

Even though TSS can occur in women who don't use tampons as well as men and children, about half of all reported cases are women using tampons. It is thought that careful use of tampons (use lowest absorbency necessary, change frequently, wash hands before use, and remember to remove tampon at the end of your period) can reduce the risk of TSS.

Answer: False

Toxic Shock Syndrome is extremely rare and there are in fact around 40 cases reported annually in the UK. (Source: Public Health Laboratory Service) Out of these 40 cases, 2 or 3 will be fatal.

Answer: True

Tampons were being used as far back as 1936. In the 1970's there was competition to make the highest absorbency. Cases of TSS seemed linked to the high absorbency tampons. It is thought that this was for three main reasons; 1. The tampons were being left in longer. 2.

The tampons swelled so much, that when they were removed, they left small abrasions on the vaginal wall. 3. Because they were so absorbent, they caused a drying of the vaginal wall. All these things created an ideal environment for bacterial growth.

Answer: False

It is more common in younger women. This is thought to be because older women may have developed a higher immunity to it.

Answer: True

This is because of loss of circulation caused by shock due to very low blood pressure. If you want to know more about Toxic Shock Syndrome, there are lots of web-sites with excellent articles and lots of in depth information. Here are a couple that I found while compiling this quiz: http://www.womens-health.com/health_center/gynecology/gyn_md_tss.html , http://ponderosa-pine.uoregon.edu/students/Hofer/menu.html , http://www.coolnurse.com/tss.htm