Toxic Shock Syndrome - familydoctor.org

Toxic Shock Syndrome - familydoctor.org

Toxic Shock Syndrome

01/13/2017 03:39 PM EST

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
Related MedlinePlus Page: Staphylococcal Infections

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious, and even life-threatening, staph (Staphylococcus aureus) infection. It is caused by bacteria that multiplies quickly and eventually leads to organ failure. Staph bacteria can be found in a young girl or woman’s vagina. If the bacteria becomes bad enough, it could enter your bloodstream and become toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome is a serious infection and leads to death in 50% of cases; even survivors can get the infection again.