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Danger
still present in toxic shock syndrome
If
you are an avid tampon user, you have seen
the insert that falls out of every box of
tampons describing the dangers of TSS. But
you probably throw it away without ever
reading it. What happens if you forget to
remove your old tampon before putting in
a new one? Don’t laugh, it has happened
to everyone at sometime or another and it
could be fatal.
According
to an article from the Fox News Web site,
toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a bacterial
infection that affected thousands of women
over 20 years ago, could strike again.
The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that
often TSS symptoms will mimic flu symptoms
such as a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea,
dizziness, fainting or a rash resembling
a sunburn. If the infection is not treated,
then the patient will experience flaking
and peeling of the palms and soles two weeks
after the initial symptoms. If you suspect
you have TSS, immediately remove your tampon
and consult your doctor.
The
July 15, 2004 issue of OBGYN News stated
that a recent search of two national databases
found the incidence of TSS was much higher
than previously expected. The Center for
Disease Control found that from 2000 to
2004 there was an 18 percent increase in
incidence.
In
the ’80s when TSS was at its peak,
there was a 10 in 100,000 chance of contracting
the infection. By 2001 it was 1.6, in 2002
it was 2.4, in 2003 it was 3.4 and in 2004
it was five per 100,000. At this rate many
fear we will reach the rate we had in the
’80s.
Contrary
to many urban myths, women aren’t
the only ones who can contract TSS.
Anyone who has undergone nasal surgery or
had staphylococcal wound infections are
also at high risk for contracting the infection,
according to the CDC. Women who use barrier
contraceptive devices are also at high risk.
With
so many rumors and misconceptions about
tampons it’s no wonder many women
avoid using tampons out of fear. Rumors
that asbestos was added to tampons to make
women bleed more and that tampons may get
lost inside of you are enough to make a
woman explore other options.
According
to the FDA, all these rumors are untrue.
They recommend women alternate between sanitary
napkins and tampons if they want to reduce
their risk of TSS. The FDA claims asbestos
has never been added to tampons.
There
have also been claims that tampons contain
dioxin, which you may recognize as the poison
that disfigured Ukrainian President Viktor
Yuschenko. The EPA requires that major tampon
manufacturers test their tampons for dioxin
with an approved testing method.
The
results claim the dioxin levels range from
undetectable to one part in 3 trillion,
which is far below the level that the FDA
considers harmful and less than the level
we are exposed to daily. Just use common
sense and we’ll be able to prevent
a resurgence of this disease.
Kara
Ogushi is a fourth year print journalism
major at CSULB.
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