Toxic Shock Syndrome: What Happens

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What Happens

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) symptoms can rapidly affect several different organ systems, including the lungs , kidneys , and liver . A rash that looks like a sunburn may also occur early in the illness. The rash is often followed 7 to 14 days later by scaling, peeling skin, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Children are less likely than adults to develop the more serious complications of toxic shock syndrome.

Dangerous complications of toxic shock syndrome include:

• Shock, causing decreased blood and oxygen circulation to the vital organs.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Lung function decreases, breathing becomes difficult, and blood oxygen levels drop.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This condition causes the clotting factors in the blood to become too active. Many blood clots may form throughout the body, which uses up the clotting factors. This can cause excessive bleeding.
• Kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease. Failure happens when kidney damage is so severe that treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to prevent death.

Talk with your doctor about possible ongoing complications if you have more episodes of menstrual toxic shock syndrome.

Last updated:	March 03, 2008
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Dennis L. Stevens, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer