Symptoms

• Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are a sudden fever of 102 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting or light headedness when you stand up and a rash resembling sunburn. You can also experience redness in your eyes, mouth and throat.
  
  

Risk

• Reported risk for toxic shock syndrome is more common in women under 30 years of age and teenage girls. There is an estimated case of TSS cases of 1 to 17 women per 100,000 every year.
  
  

Reducing the Risk

• To reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome you should alternate wearing tampons and pads during menstruation. It is also recommended to change your tampon frequently. You can avoid getting TSS by discontinuing the use of tampons completely.
  
  

Higher Absorbency Tampons

• Studies indicate that higher absorbency tampons place you at a higher risk of developing toxic shock syndrome. You should use the least absorbent tampon needed to control your flow and reduce the risk of getting TSS. It is not clear how tampons cause TSS, but some researchers believe that super absorbent tampons left in too long are susceptible to becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Fibers from the tampons scratch the wall of the vagina, and the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
  
  

Diagnosis

• If your doctor suspects you have toxic shock syndrome, you will most likely be admitted into the hospital and put on antibiotics. According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will run blood and urine tests to check for a bacterial staph infection. If your blood pressure drops, you will be put on medication to stabilize it and given fluids to treat dehydration. If you have kidney failure, you may be put on dialysis. If you have had TSS in the past, you should not wear tampons again, unless it is approved by your doctor.