Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), rare and sometimes fatal bacterial disease associated with the use of tampons. TSS is characterized by high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by a sharp drop in blood pressure that may bring on fatal shock. At greatest risk are women under 30 during their menstrual periods. The incidence is low, with a frequency of about 3 cases per 100,000 women annually in the United States, and the mortality rate is about 10%.