TSS is extremely rare and most doctors will never even see a case. The risk of TSS is greater in younger people. If you are wearing a tampon remove it and tell your doctor that you have been using tampons. With early diagnosis TSS can be treated with antibiotics to kill the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and other medicines which help counteract the symptoms. The link between TSS and tampon use is unclear.
Research suggests that for cases which occur in women using tampons, tampon absorbency is a factor.
This information is often updated, so remember to read the leaflet regularly. From a UK population of around 58 million there are about 40 cases reported each year, half of which are associated with women using tampons 1 . Men, women and children can get toxic shock syndrome, for example following burns, boils, insect bites or infections after surgery. With early diagnosis toxic shock syndrome can be successfully treated. Sadly, however, out of the small number of people who fall ill each year, 2-3 people die from TSS 1 .