Michigan girl, 15, fighting for her life after suffering organ failure from toxic shock syndrome caused by a tampon

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Michigan girl, 15, fighting for her life after suffering organ failure from toxic shock syndrome caused by a tampon

Rylie Whitten first came down with flu-like symptoms on January 4
A blood test determined teen had toxic shock syndrome – a rare and life-threatening infection caused by staph and strep bacteria
A significant number of cases occur in young women who are using a tampon – particularly those designed to be ‘super absorbent’
Whitten has been on life support and receiving kidney dialysis after experiencing organ failure; illness also affected her heart and lungs

By SNEJANA FARBEROV FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A 15-year-old girl from Michigan is fighting for her life after contracting an extremely rare and acute form of a staph infection caused by a common feminine hygiene product.

For Rylie Whitten, a bubbly high school sophomore from Greenville, it all started with mild flu-like symptoms on January 4.
Her parents, Nate Whitten and Jill Williams, say their usually healthy, strong daughter suddenly came down with aches all over her body and they decided to keep her home that Monday, on what was supposed to be the first day of school after the winter break.

By the next morning, Rylie started vomiting and was moaning in pain, reported the station WZZM.
The Whittens took the ailing teenager to the doctor, who quickly ruled out influenza and meningitis.
But then a blood test found something highly alarming in Rylie’s system, prompting her physician to call for an AeroMed helicopter to whisk her to a hospital in Grand Rapids for urgent treatment.
‘At that point, they knew she had some kidney failure,’ Mr Whitten told the Greenville Daily News.

As it turned out, the Greenville High School student was suffering from Toxic Shock Syndrome – an extremely rare and life-threatening infection that is caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria that invade the patient’s bloodstream, where they release poisonous toxins.
Anyone can develop TSS, but a significant number of cases occur in young women who are on their period and using a tampon – particularly those designed to be ‘super absorbent’.
It is recommended to change tampons every 4-6 hours, or more frequently if necessary.
Women are also urged to avoid using super-absorbent tampons and to never leave a tampon inserted overnight, as it could become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Doctors at DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids concluded that this seemed to be the cause of Rylie’s illness.
Hospital staff described the 15-year-old’s case as the worst they have ever encountered…..More Here

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Michigan girl, 15, fighting for her life after suffering organ failure from toxic shock syndrome caused by a tampon