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( 1997 )
What are the common symptoms of toxic shock syndrome?

Toxic shock syndrome is a serious illness caused by a toxin (poison) produced by the germ, Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”). It occurred most commonly in young women who used super-absorbent tampons during the early 1980s and declined after such tampons were removed from the market. However, the problem is not limited to infection related to tampons; children and older people of either sex may develop toxic shock in the course of a staphylococcal infection.
Symptoms and signs of toxic shock include sudden onset of fever (102 degrees F or higher), headache, muscle aching, vomiting or diarrhea and profound weakness with or without fainting. Such symptoms are common to a large number of infections but warrant medical evaluation with consideration of toxic shock as a possible cause. A skin rash that is prominent on the palms and soles followed by peeling of the involved skin may occur as well.