Toxic Shock Syndrome: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

If you have toxic shock syndrome, you need immediate medical treatment and need to be hospitalized. Call your doctor immediately if you become suddenly ill with a fever, a rash that looks like a sunburn, or signs of shock, especially if you have:

• Been using tampons, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive sponge.
• Recently given birth.
• Had recent surgery on the nose and have nasal packing bandages.
• Increasing pain at the site of recent surgery or at the site of a bruising injury.
• Had a recent respiratory infection.
• Had a recent skin injury that may have signs of infection.
• Had toxic shock syndrome before.

Watchful Waiting

If you have toxic shock syndrome, you need immediate medical treatment and probably need to be hospitalized. It is not appropriate to wait and observe your symptoms without medical treatment. Waiting may make the infection worse.

Who To See

Usually by the time a person who has toxic shock syndrome (TSS) sees a health professional, the illness has progressed rapidly and the person is very sick. Health professionals who can diagnose and treat toxic shock syndrome include:

• Critical care medicine specialists.
• Emergency medicine specialists.
• Family medicine doctors.
• Gynecologists.
• Infectious disease specialists.
• Internists.
• Pediatricians.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

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