Toxic Shock Syndrome

I was just discharged from the hospital after 4 days of treatment for Toxic Shock Syndrome resulting from tampon use. I am on home IV antibiotics for 7 days because I am allergic to most of the oral antibiotics used to treat this.I have been researching TSS on the web and a lot of the information suggests a high re-occurance in people who have already had TSS. This has me a little worried. Has anyone ever had TSS or know anything about the chances of having it re-occur? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

[coloratura101]

I don't personally use tampons, but my mother and sister do.  They each have a plastic case that they carry their tampons in so that they stay sterile in their purse, which avoids TSS.  Ask your doctor if this is an acceptable prevention or if he/she wants you to stop using tampons all together.

Hope you feel better!

[threegirlsnow]

My doctors have advised me to discontinue using tampons and I absolutely will not again. The chance of recurrance...is that in the future on while I am recovering from this bout?

[Judy61z]

I had TSS many years ago & would agree with the recommendation to avoid tamp usage.  However, I have used them on occasion without a recurrence.

[vdiggitydawg]

A plastic case to carry the tampon in won't prevent TSS. If your vagina was plastic maybe, but TSS comes from keeping in a tampon too long, or using a too absorbant tampon. If you don't need super don't use it. I recommend using regualr always even if you have to wear a panty liner and change evry hour. I have had TSS and it is not fun. I was scared off tampons for 7 years after that. If you are forgetfull set your phone to remind you to change your tampon. I know that sounds silly but it's better thatn a funky smelling vagina!

[spacie_05]

I personally have had TSS it was hell and i am sorry to hear you went thru it too. I was also told/read about the high rate of possible reoccurance. I am still a tiny bit scared of it happening again b/c you can get it from other things too not just tampons. For that very reason I have not used tampons for almost 5 years which I hated at first because being in high school and not using them wasn't easy. But now I am ok with not using them because my doctor made it clear that if i did choose to use them again I would prob. not be as lucky as the first time. I didn't get TSS from leaving it in too long the first time so now i will not even touch them. I feel kind of bad b/c my mom will not let my little sister use them at all.(but I agree with it 100%) I have no idea how high a chance reoccurance is but i am not willing to take that chance...mainly because I will not put my family through that again!

[scaredtss123]

I'm 16 years old and I put in a tampon for the first time yesterday and everything seemed fine but when i woke up this morning I felt so sick. I had a headache, bad muscle aches, possibly a fever, sore throat, and chest pains. I told my mother about it but she said she won't take me into the ER and I have to wait till tomorrow to see the doctor. Will anything happen to me if i don't get it checked out or do i actually have TSS?