• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
NHS advice on toxic shock syndrome after woman loses legs from leaving tampon in too long

Home> News

Updated 16:05 9 May 2024 GMT+1Published 16:06 9 May 2024 GMT+1

NHS advice on toxic shock syndrome after woman loses legs from leaving tampon in too long

It's a rare yet 'life-threatening' condition

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

I'm sure, by now, we've all heard about toxic shock syndrome (TTS).

Whether you learnt it at school as a child or later in life through your mates - it's clear many have been left absolutely terrified of contracting the rare illness which can be caused by an infection after leaving in a tampon or menstrual cup for too long.

Now, considering there's a whole lot of anxiety surrounding TSS, there are only about 40 cases reported each year in the UK out of a population of about 60 million.

The NHS has shared its official advice on toxic shock syndrome (TSS). (Isabel Pavia / Getty Images)
The NHS has shared its official advice on toxic shock syndrome (TSS). (Isabel Pavia / Getty Images)

Advert

Rare as it though, it still happens and one LA-based model was unfortunate enough to contract it after leaving her tampon in for too long.

Lauren Wasser was just 24 when she contracted the life-threatening disease back in 2012.

Lauren's nightmare began when she was found facedown and unresponsive in her home, having succumbed to a fever of almost 42 degrees.

Incredibly, Lauren was given just a one percent chance of survival.

Advert

She was placed into a medically-induced coma and after a week, she finally woke up.

Lauren opted to have her left leg amputated after losing her right. (Instagram/@theimpossiblemuse)
Lauren opted to have her left leg amputated after losing her right. (Instagram/@theimpossiblemuse)

An infectious disease doctor then examined her to see if she had a tampon in. Upon their discovery, she was diagnosed with TSS.

Sadly, Lauren's legs had turned black with gangrene and her right leg had to be amputated.

Advert

After six years with one leg, Lauren opted to have her left leg amputated too due to how much pain she was in.

Lauren, who is now 36, uses her platform to urge people to learn about the danger of tampons.

The NHS has also shared its official advice on TSS.

How to check if you have toxic shock syndrome?

While TSS may be rare, the NHS warns that is still a 'life-threatening condition' and can come on quickly.

Advert

Symptoms include:

  • a high temperature
  • muscle aches
  • a raised skin rash that feels like sandpaper
  • flu-like symptoms
Leaving in a menstrual cup for too long can also cause TSS. (Helena Lopes / 500px / Getty Images)
Leaving in a menstrual cup for too long can also cause TSS. (Helena Lopes / 500px / Getty Images)

So, what causes toxic shock syndrome?

The NHS explains that it's possible to get TSS due to a whole load of things including:

  • from using tampons or menstrual cups
  • from a contraceptive diaphragm or cap
  • after a vaginal birth or caesarean section
  • from a cut, wound, boil or burn that has become infected

Also, your chances of getting TSS are higher if you've had it before.

What are the treatments for toxic shock syndrome?

If you do contract TSS, you'll need 'urgent hospital treatment' which can include:

  • antibiotics to treat the infection
  • fluids to rehydrate you, usually through a drip in your arm
  • medicine to help control your blood pressure
  • oxygen
  • surgery to remove infection from cuts or wounds

How can you prevent toxic shock syndrome?

There are some key things you can do to reduce your chance of catching or spreading a bacterial infection including:

  • washing your hands and following the instructions when using tampons, menstrual cups, contraceptive caps and diaphragms, and do not leave them in longer than needed or recommended
  • keeping cuts and burns clean, and looking out for signs of infection, such as a rash, swelling or pain

If you've had TSS before, your doctor may advise you not to use tampons, contraceptive caps or diaphragms.

Advert

You can find out more about toxic shock syndrome here.

Featured Image Credit: Martin Barraud/Isabel Pavia/Getty Images

Topics: NHS, Life, Real Life, Health, News, UK News, Advice

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Trump called out for major false claim while threatening to ban 'mail-in' voting as people question one detail

    The US President vowed to make a change to the election process which is disallowed by the Constitution

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Royal butler offers very different account of what happened inside Highgrove following Prince Harry’s claims

    Grant Harrold worked at Highgrove for then Prince Charles between 2004 and 2011

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Meat-eaters issued warning as pigs begin to turn fluorescent blue inside

    Pigs are turning up with flesh the colour of a blue raspberry Slush Puppy and scientists are alarmed

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    Future Queen of Norway’s son charged with 32 offences including four counts of rape

    Marius Borg Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges

    News

    breaking

  • NHS advice on toxic shock syndrome as woman told she’s 'lucky to be alive' after using tampon at friend’s wedding
  • Woman reveals terrifying symptoms she experienced after leaving her tampon in for over a month
  • NHS advice on highly contagious skin disease after Brits issued warning over surge in cases
  • Woman who kept tampon in for a month says it smelled like ‘rat crawled inside her’ as she details ‘traumatising’ consequences