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Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious disease that is recognizable and treatable. About half of the reported cases in the United States are associated with women using tampons. Even though it is rare, it's best to know about it so you can take the right actions if you think you may have it. If left untreated, TSS can progress to a serious disease that can be fatal.
Anyone can get TSS – men, women or children. It isn’t contagious – you can’t catch TSS from other people. Some cases of TSS occur from insect bites, burns or surgical wounds that become infected.
The type of TSS associated with tampon use is caused by a toxin producing strain of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus that's commonly found on the skin, in the nose, armpit, groin or vagina. Like other types of bacteria, a person could "carry" these bacteria without problems. The majority of people have a built-in ability to fight TSS, but some don't.
You can reduce your risk of getting TSS during your period by using the tampon with the lowest absorbency for your flow, and alternating tampon use with pads during a 24-hour time period.
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Some of the symptoms of TSS are like the flu, but they can become serious quickly. The signs of TSS are:
Rising body temperature (102 degrees Fahrenheit [38.8 degrees Celsius] or higher)
vomiting
diarrhea
a sunburn-like rash
muscle aches
dizziness
fainting, or near fainting when you stand up
A person who has had TSS can develop it again. If a woman has had TSS before, she should talk to a doctor before using tampons again.
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If you experience the symptoms above and you're wearing a tampon, remove the tampon immediately and call a doctor or other health care provider for immediate treatment. Tell the doctor that you have been using tampons and suspect TSS. If you're wrong, all the better. But it's better to be overly careful - what's important is to get speedy treatment.
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It's important to choose the lowest absorbency for your menstrual flow. Your flow changes from day to day, so you may need to use different absorbencies on different days of your period.
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Take the tampon out after wearing it for four hours. If it has soaked up to the full amount, you may want to try a higher absorbency.
After 8 hours of use, if white fiber is still showing, you should choose a lower absorbency.
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You can also reduce the risk of tampon-associated TSS by interrupting your tampon use with feminine pads - maybe while you sleep.
If you want to totally avoid the risk of TSS associated with tampon use, avoid using tampons completely and use pads instead.
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It's important to change your tampon every 4-8 hours. Never wear a tampon for more than 8 hours, and remember to remove the last tampon you put in at the end of your period.
If you sleep less than 8 hours a night and use a tampon, use the lowest absorbency needed. Insert a fresh tampon just before going to bed and remove it as soon as you wake up in the morning.
If you sleep more than 8 hours, don't use a tampon - use a pad.
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