toxic shock syndrome

Rare condition marked by rapid onset of fever, vomiting, and low blood pressure, sometimes leading to death. It is caused by a toxin of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, normally harmlessly present in the body. It is seen most often in young women using tampons during menstruation.

Toxic shock caused by the superbug MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has been infecting new-born children in Japan since 1995. It is probably more widespread, but because the syndrome has long been believed to affect only teenagers and adults, many cases may have been incorrectly diagnosed.