The first symptom is sudden onset of severe pain, usually in an arm or leg, but sometimes in the abdomen or chest. Most people will also suffer confusion and fever, although in some cases, the body temperature actually falls dramatically. Rash may or may not be present. Massive skin or soft tissue infection, shock, and multiple organ failure follow. The mortality rate is more than 50 percent, although the odds are improved with early and appropriate antibiotic therapy and advanced life support.
GAS are clearly very crafty.
With normal infections, special cells of the immune system form very small quantities of cytokines, proteins which enhance the body's defenses. TSS caused widespread alarm in 1980 when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 813 cases and 38 deaths among menstruating women using tampons, especially one extremely popular, highly absorbent product which was quickly taken off the market. Use tampons only during menstruation, select a product with only the necessary absorbency, and replace it every 4-8 hours. If these occur, remove any tampon immediately, and always see a doctor at once. Gentlemen readers should not be complacent.