Toxic Shock Syndrome: How to Care for Your Child

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious illness caused by certain types of bacteria (germs). While in the hospital, your child got antibiotics to fight the infection and other medicines to help the body heal. Your child is now well enough to be cared for at home.

• Give your child medicine as prescribed by the health care provider.

• Let your child rest as needed. He or she may feel tired for a while until fully better, which can take several weeks.

• TSS usually causes a rash that can later lead to peeling skin. To care for your child's skin:

  • Remind your child not to pick or scratch. Use small scissors to gently trim any peeling skin that is hanging and getting caught on clothing.

  • Apply moisturizer as often as needed.

  • Have your child take oatmeal baths to soothe dry, peeling areas. Use warm (not hot) water.

• Follow your health care provider's directions about when your child can return to school and other activities.

• Make a follow-up appointment with your child's health care provider.

• Tell all of your child's health care providers (including dentists) that your child had TSS.

• Girls who have had TSS should not use tampons again without talking to a health care provider first.

• It's important for people who have had TSS to clean and take good care of cuts, scrapes and other wounds to prevent infection. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions about wound care.

Your child:

• develops headaches

• has trouble concentrating or remembering things

• continues to have low energy or weak muscles after a few weeks

Your child has TSS symptoms again. This could include:

• looking pale

• feeling dizzy or fainting

• a fever

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• rash

What happens in TSS? Two types of bacteria that cause TSS are called staph and strep. They make chemicals called toxins (poisons). Some people are extra sensitive to these toxins. This causes their immune system to overreact, making the whole body sick. Many systems in the body can be affected, including the blood vessels, blood cells, skin, muscles, kidneys, liver, digestive system and nervous system. 

What are late symptoms of TSS? Symptoms that usually don't start until later in the illness include:

• skin peeling, 1 to 3 weeks after the illness starts

• loss of hair and nails, 1 or 2 months after the illness starts (they usually grow back within 6 months)

Who can get TSS? Anyone can get TSS, but it happens most often in:

• girls who use super-absorbent tampons, diaphragms or contraceptive sponges

• kids who get bacteria in their bodies through an opening in the skin (such as a cut, burn, surgical wound or chickenpox sore) or an illness (like an infection in a lung, the blood or a bone)

How can we prevent TSS from happening again? TSS is rare, but people who have had it are more likely to get it again. To reduce this risk:

• Girls should use pads instead of tampons during their menstrual period.

• Clean and bandage all skin wounds as quickly as possible.

• Kids should wash their hands frequently.