How Serious Is Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Video Transcript

"Hi! I'm Dr. Mieke Lane. I'm with Cascadia Women's Clinic in Vancouver, Washington, and I'm an OB-GYN. Today, I'm going to talk to you about the seriousness of toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome is a bacterial infection that can trigger the release of toxins. These toxins unfortunately can attack your body and cost a whole host of medical problems or medical issues. Toxic shock syndrome can be extremely serious. Some of the more serious complications that can occur a toxic shock syndrome include plural fusions where there is a build up of fluid in your lungs, also respiratory failure which potentially can lead to you being having to be place on a ventilator which is a mechanical breathing machine. Sometimes, toxic shock syndrome can lead to multi-system organ failure which means that each individual organ system slowly starts to shut down and no longer can support you and unfortunately death can occur after this particular process. If you suspect that you have any signs or symptoms of toxic shock syndrome you need to be talking with a health care provider in order to seek health care."