MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. A tampon is the last thing you’d think could cause a personal injury, but for some women who suffer from rare cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome, using tampons can turn out to not only be dangerous, it can be downright deadly. Vice recently reported on a model in California who came down with a fever of 107, suffered multiple organ failure, and lost her leg after coming down with Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Anyone can suffer from Toxic Shock Syndrome. It is caused by a staph infection resulting from bacteria we all carry around. Certain tampons, however, can provide a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria. According to Vice, synthetic fibers used in some tampons make it more likely for the deadly bacteria associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome to flourish. Leaving a tampon in for too long, or being ill before putting in a tampon can increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. As for the model who suffered from a serious case of Toxic Shock, her parents discovered that the brand she had used contained synthetic materials.
The family’s personal injury lawsuit faces an uphill battle. All tampon boxes come with warnings about Toxic Shock Syndrome. The family claims that the tampon company should still be held responsible because there are safer materials it can use in its tampons. Researchers have found that cotton tampons are safer. Despite this, not all tampon companies use cotton.
According to Popular Science, the body overreacts when a particular strain of strep—A streptococcus, releases a deadly toxin. The body gets inflamed, fever increases, and eventually a person’s organs shut down if they don’t receive treatment. Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare. In 2016, there were only 323 cases. And a third of the cases happened in men, meaning that tampon use isn’t the only cause of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from being injured due to Toxic Shock Syndrome? For one, don’t leave your tampon in for long periods of time. Follow the instructions provided by the tampon manufacturer. Finally, know the symptoms of TSS. If you use a tampon and come down with a high fever, it’s always a good idea to go visit a doctor.
At the end of the day, you’re more likely to die or be injured in a car accident or while crossing the street than to die of Toxic Shock Syndrome. In fact, the odds of dying in a motor vehicle accident are 1 in 88, while the odds of dying from Toxic Shock Syndrome are 0.0005 percent. So, when it comes to life worries, it might be better to wear your seat belt, put away your cell phone, and avoid driving while tired.
If you have been injured due to a car accident or other cause, consider speaking to the personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Or, visit our website at https://martinmontilino.com/ to learn more.