After-effects of TSS

• Loss of fingers and toes due to gangrene.
• Permanent kidney and liver damage.
• Deafness and blindness.
• Peeling skin, particularly on palms and soles.
• Loss of nails and hair, which eventually grow back.
• Prone to infections for up to 2 years.
• Short term memory loss and lack of concentration.
• No energy for months or even years.
• Psychological and emotional distress.

To reduce the risk

• Use the lowest absorbency needed at each stage of you period.
• Avoid using tampons continuously during a period. Alternate with sanitary towels, particularly at night.
• Use a towel at the end of your period.
• Change tampons every 4 to 6 hours.
• Don't use tampons if you've had any unusual discharge.
• Wash your hands before and after use and handle the tampon as little as possible.
• Alert your family and friends to the symptoms and emergency action required.
• Only use tampons made of organic cotton.
• Read and keep this information leaflet or the leaflet inside the tampon packet.

The bacteria and toxin

• Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are carried by most people on the skin or in the nose no matter how frequently we wash ourselves.
• They are usually quite harmless and can naturally migrate into the vagina.
• Certain strains of the bacteria can produce a toxin known as TSS-T1 when tampons are used.
• The vagina is a very susceptible place for RAPID absorption of toxin.
• The toxin gets into the bloodstream and overwhelms the body's immune system producing acute organ damage.
• Younger people are particularly at risk, as their immune system is not fully developed.

What causes the toxin?

• The bacteria in the vagina is usually harmless.
• Although the exact micro-biological reason for toxin production has not been established, it only happens in association with a tampon.
• It could be because the tampon introduces oxygen into the vagina,
• However, the tampon provides a surface for the bacteria to colonise.
• It is known that higher absorbency tampons containing man-made fibre are the highest risk
• Also, CONTINUOUS use of tampons during a period increases the risk.