Toxic Shock Syndrome

General Information

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious illness most often caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and less commonly Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) both of which can produce "toxins." TSS was first recognized in 1978 and was later associated with tampon use in adolescents and young menstruating women in the majority of those cases. TSS is now known to be associated with other risk factors such as surgical wounds and childbirth.

Toxic shock syndrome fact sheet, P-42096 (PDF)

Group A streptococcal infections (GAS) CDC

Provider Information

This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category II disease:

• Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease case report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a case.
• Information on communicable disease reporting

Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines

• Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet): P-01940 Toxic shock syndrome (PDF)
• Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Clinical Testing – reference manual