Causes of toxic shock syndrome

TSS iscaused by either Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria.

Thesebacteria normally live harmlessly on the skin, nose or mouth, but if they get deeper into the body they can release toxins that damage tissue and stop organs working.

The following can increaseyour risk of developing TSS:

  • using tampons particularlyif you leave them in for longer than recommended or you use"super-absorbent" tampons
  • using female barrier contraceptives, such as a contraceptive diaphragm or contraceptive cap
  • a break in your skin, such as a cut , burn , boil, insect bite orsurgical wound
  • childbirth
  • using nasal packing to treat a nosebleed
  • having a Staphylococcal infection or Streptococcal infection , such as a throat infection, impetigo or cellulitis

TSS isn't spread from person to person. You don't develop immunity to it once you've had it, so you can get it more than once.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018