title: Toxic shock syndrome.
abstract: TSS is rare. According to figures from the UK Public Health Laboratory Service there were, on average, 18 cases per year between 1985 and 1990 out of a total population of about 58 million. Only half the cases are associated with tampons. TSS can result from burns, insect bites or surgery and can affect anyone--men, women and children. Symptoms resemble -flu and there may also be a red rash. TSS is a serious illness which can occasionally be fatal, but most cases recover with prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics. Good tampon hygiene can largely prevent the risk of tampon-related TSS.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scowen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013630:Tampons, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*