How Much Do You Know About Toxic Shock Syndrome?
TSS claims lives in the US each year.
- – 40% of those affected are girls between 13-19 years old
- – This condition is preventable, but deadly if untreated
1 in 100,000 women will get TSS in the US each year.
All menstruating women using tampons are at risk of TSS.
Did you know? Young girls have a higher risk of getting TSS.
How Do I Know if it’s the Flu or Toxic Shock Syndrome?
I Think I Have TSS, I Need Help, I’m Scared…
We receive lots of great questions through our PeriodTalk forum – and this one is a concern that many young girls have. For that reason, we wanted to share our answer here to help others who may be struggling with the same worry.
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Monthly Mission: Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness
If you’ve opened up a box of tampons before, you’ve probably encountered the scary warning label on the inside of the pamphlet: “Tampons are associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome. (TSS)” And whether or not you took this warning seriously the first time you saw it, most likely your concern has slowly dissipated the longer you’ve used tampons. Out of sight, out of mind, right? (more…)
Toxic Shock Syndrome – What Every Woman Should Know
By Suzan Hutchinson
Amy Elifritz was age 20, menstruating and using tampons, when she came down with what appeared to be the flu. She died four days later from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). After Amy’s death, her mother, Lisa, founded You ARE Loved, a nonprofit that raises awareness about tampon related Toxic Shock Syndrome and provides factual menstrual information.
Since launching the You ARE Loved website, we have received and posted several stories of girls and young women who developed tampon related TSS in recent years: Sarah and Brittany, both age 15 – Alex, age 16 – Katelyn, 17 – Amanda, 19 – Lauren, 20 – Nikki, who died of TSS at 21 – Shenikwa, a college student – Heather, a new mom….
How You ARE Loved Changed My Life
In contrast to the many Toxic Shock Syndrome stories on You ARE Loved‘s site, mine is not one of illness, loss or pain. I am a lucky one!
Getting Started with Tampons
I started my menstrual journey at 15 the way most girls do: using pads. I never got along with them, and hated the “diapery” feeling and the odor.
My mom solely used tampons, so I was naturally curious about them. After only a few cycles of using pads I snuck some of my mom’s tampons (and never looked back.) After “borrowing” a large quantity from her, I feared she would begin to notice.
Somehow I worked up the courage (for some reason I thought she might not approve) to approach her and let her know I wanted start using tampons. She understood my dislike of pads and was ok with me making the switch. A lot like the menstruation/puberty talks we had, this talk was also very brief. I only recall her mentioning a quick caution to not leave them in too long because of something rare called TSS that could make me sick. That conversation did not concern me enough to read the warning on the box (or leaflet inside).
TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME QUIZ
HEALTHY PRODUCTS & LIFESTYLE SERIES
This weekly email series is designed to teach you everything you need to know about the healthier alternatives to the products you’ve been using forever.
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