How common is TSS? - Answers

No one really knows how common TSS is - it could be anywhere from as many as 1 in 700 through to as few as 1 in 100,000.Often statistics state that TSS occurs in 1 to 17 in 100,000 menstruating people per year - however this figure seems to be from CDC, so out of date and inaccurate. CDC stopped recording TSS cases in 1979, even when they were recording cases they only actually recorded atmost up to one thrid of all cases.CDC figures are inaccuarate for several reasons;Many cases were not serious enough to require medical attention.There is no test for TSS so many cases may have been misdiagnosed.CDC only counted cases with narrowly defined symptoms.CDC only counted cases when 3 or more organs had failed.Ignorance of TSS may have meant many doctors were unaware of TSSIgnorance of procedure may have meant doctors did not report cases.Many doctors simply did not have time to report cases to the CDC.The majority of TSS cases did take place in the 1970's and 1980's due to the use of highly absorbent materials, following an outbreak of TSS linked to the tampon brand Rely new rules about ingredients that could be used were introduced, along with this tampon companies were also required to put instructions and TSS information on boxes.However tampon manufacturers continue to use rayon fleece which increases risks of TSS, and chemicals within these types of tampons may also increase risks. Furthermore many women do not follow precautions with tampon use, and more younger women (with higher suspectibility to TSS) are using tampons than ever before. We are thus seeing an increase in TSS cases again, so figures may be far higher than 1 to 17 in 100,000.Experts such as Dr. Patrick Schlievert believe that tampon-associated TSS cases could be as high as effecting 1 in 700 women during their lifetime - with many women not even realising they have suffered TSS. But without accurate diagnosis, reporting, and recording of TSS cases we have no way of knowing for sure how common TSS is.