Toxic Shock.

[gillybeanz]

This is still very rare only 40 cases a year in the UK and only 50% of these are down to tampons.
Children and men can also suffer, it's not just women.
Even though it is rare, I can't believe in this day and age that we aren't made more aware of it and the symptoms.
So, I'm posting some links and hope that anybody who isn't aware will be better informed.
My bm died of TSS and I had it at 18, was very lucky as hadn't heard that bm had died.
I have a dd who is 14 who asked this week if she can wear tampons, she is aware of family history.
So I thought I'd do some research and these are a few of the links I found.
www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38962250/recognising-the-symptoms-of-toxic-shock-syndrome-saved-my-life

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/toxic-shock-syndrome-mooncups-tampons-risk-tss-menstrual-america-study-a8314546.html

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5195289/Model-lost-leg-TSS-reveals-lose-other.html sorry about DM.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355384

www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/schoolgirl-dies-organ-failure-after-7565614

There are so many more articles and a research paper I have temporarily lost, will post if I find it again.
Please inform yourselves, especially if you have daughters.

I can't believe in this day and age that we aren't made more aware of it and the symptoms.

I knew about this in school and that was 20 years ago.

I learned all about the symptoms at school, don't really know anyone who isn't aware! But no harm in sharing links anyway I suppose.

Even though it is rare, I can't believe in this day and age that we aren't made more aware of it and the symptoms.

Information is included in every tampon packet.

I'm 44 - I was taught about TSS during sex/puberty education at school (aged 12) and by my DM. Both my DDs (14 and 12) have also received information at school (Y6), including symptom recognition and elder DD has covered it for second time at secondary school. Not that you shouldn't raise awareness OP, more to assuage your anxiety that's it's not taught.

It's included in every tampon box and girls are taught about it in school. How much more can be done?

I didn't realise about the risk with menstrual cups, thought it was only tampons so thank you.

I know info is on the packet, and we are taught about it at school.
Maybe it's just me but I wasn't aware of some of the facts and I have a family history.
Also as we gain more insight and more research is done it's important to update our knowledge.
I didn't know about the unfortunate souls who have lost limbs through TSS, but maybe it's just me that hasn't known all the facts.

Out of interest, how do men and non-mesntruating children get TSS?

They get it from open wounds, when air gets into the bacteria, the same as the vagina.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/

Off to work, but will be back later.

Maybe it's just me but I wasn't aware of some of the facts and I have a family history.

Surely if you have a family history, it's up to you to read more around it though rather than saying there isn't enough information out there? It's like any family with any medical issue. They'll know more about it because they look into it more when it affects them. The basic info is sold with the risky products.

They get it from open wounds, when air gets into the bacteria, the same as the vagina.

Not necessarily true, my DH had TSS, the bacteria had entered his body through thin skin (caused by a bad injury years before).

I think the issue of TSS does need raising not just for women using tampons, but for everyone.

Why so many snippy responses to the OP? She lost her BM to this syndrome, had it herself and is worried about her daughter. A little kindness goes a long way!

TSS.

I agree and even though not very good at putting the point across was one of the reasons for starting the thread.
I spoke to numerous parents at work tonight who didn't know that children and men could be affected.
A couple didn't even recognise the name until it was pointed out by others that warnings were on tampons.
I am happy that the super absorbent ones were taken off the market, and when i asked about what they had told their children the misinformation was terrible.
Apparently it can only happen if you leave a tampon in for too long.
No mention of anything else, as they themselves knew nothing else.
I just thought a warning on a tampon packet wasn't enough, especially reading some of the survival stories.