toxic shock syndrome

a sate of acute SHOCK as a result of SEPTICAEMIA and caused by TOXINS produced by staphylococcal BACTERIA (see STAPHYLOCOCCUS ). The symptoms include high fever, skin rash and diarrhoea and can prove rapidly fatal if not adequately treated with ANTIBIOTICS , especially PENICILLIN and CEPHALOSPORIN , along with fluid and salt replacement. The syndrome is associated with the use of TAMPONS by women during MENSTRUATION , particularly if a tampon is left in place too long, but can also occur in other people and is in all cases rare.