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A new type of Toxic shock syndrome is caused by a different bacterium, called Group A streptococcus.
What else can I help you with?
What is the cause of STSS?
STSS, or toxic shock syndrome, is caused by a bacterial toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. When the toxins enter the bloodstream, they can cause a severe and sometimes life-threatening systemic reaction.
How is streptococcal toxic shock syndrome treated?
Antibiotics are used to treat STSS. Surgery may be needed to remove dead skin and muscle. Research continues on new therapy options to help improve treatment of STSS, including intravenous therapy with immunoglobulin.
What are the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and what are its complications if it is left untreated?
Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) can cause the following: kidney failure, heart failure and liver failure. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience this.
Can streptococcal toxic shock syndrome be prevented?
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome can be prevented by promptly treating infections caused by Streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat or skin infections. Encouraging good hygiene practices, such as washing hands regularly and covering wounds properly, can also help reduce the risk of developing this syndrome.
What is TSS and what can it do to you?
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a potentially fatal illness caused by a bacterial toxin. Different bacterial toxins may cause toxic shock syndrome, depending on the situation. The causative bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal TSS is sometimes referred to as toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome vary depending on the underlying cause. TSS resulting from infection with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus typically manifests in otherwise healthy individuals with high fever, accompanied by low blood pressure, malaise and confusion, which can rapidly progress to stupor, coma, and multiple organ failure. The characteristic rash, often seen early in the course of illness, resembles a sunburn, and can involve any region of the body, including the lips, mouth, eyes, palms and soles. In patients who survive the initial phase of the infection, the rash desquamates, or peels off, after 10-14 days. In contrast, TSS caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, or TSLS, typically presents in people with pre-existing skin infections with the bacteria. These individuals often experience severe pain at the site of the skin infection, followed by rapid progression of symptoms as described above for TSS. In contrast to TSS caused by Staphylococcus, streptococcal TSS less often involves a sunburn-like rash. In either case, diagnosis is based strictly upon CDC criteria modified in 1981 after the initial surge in tampon-associated infections.[1]: Body temperature > 38.9 °C (102.02 °F) Systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg Diffuse rash, intense erythroderma, blanching with subsequent desquamation, especially of the palms and soles Involvement of three or more organ systems: Gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea) Mucous membrane hyperemia (vaginal, oral, conjunctival) Renal failure (serum creatinine > 2 times normal) Hepatic inflammation (AST, ALT > 2 times normal) Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000 / mm³) CNS involvement (confusion without any focal neurological findings)
