Overview
Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins released by certain bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep). These toxins act like an alarm that goes off all at once in your immune system, triggering a massive, dangerous overreaction throughout the entire body. This is sometimes called a 'cytokine storm.' The condition can affect multiple organs at the same time, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. TSS became widely known in the early 1980s when it was linked to tampon use in menstruating women, but it can affect anyone — men, women, children, and older adults. It can develop after surgery, skin wounds, burns, or any infection where these bacteria are present. Streptococcal TSS (sometimes called 'strep TSS') is often associated with deep tissue infections. Key symptoms include a sudden high fever, a dramatic drop in blood pressure, a widespread sunburn-like rash, confusion, vomiting, and signs that organs are starting to fail. Treatment requires urgent hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, fluids to stabilize blood pressure, and sometimes intensive care support. With fast treatment, many people survive, but TSS can be fatal if not caught and treated quickly.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Sudden high fever (usually above 38.9°C or 102°F)Very low blood pressure causing dizziness or faintingWidespread red rash that looks like a sunburn, often covering large areas of the bodyConfusion or altered mental stateNausea and vomitingDiarrheaMuscle aches and weaknessRedness of the eyes, mouth, or throatHeadachePeeling skin on the palms and soles (usually 1-2 weeks after illness starts)Signs of organ failure such as reduced urine output or jaundice
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Impact of Internal Menstrual Protections on Immunity and Vaginal Microbiota
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome
New recruiting trial: Prodromes of Menstrual Staphylococcal Toxic Shock
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of bacteria caused my TSS, and does that change my treatment or recovery?,How will you monitor my kidneys and other organs during and after treatment?,Is IVIG appropriate for my case, and what are the risks and benefits?,What signs should I watch for at home after discharge that might mean I need to come back to the hospital?,Am I at higher risk of getting TSS again, and how can I reduce that risk?,Will I need any rehabilitation or specialist follow-up after I leave the hospital?,Are there any long-term effects I should be prepared for?
Common questions about Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome
What is Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome?
Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins released by certain bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep). These toxins act like an alarm that goes off all at once in your immune system, triggering a massive, dangerous overreaction throughout the entire body. This is sometimes called a 'cytokine storm.' The condition can affect multiple organs at the same time, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. TSS became widely known in the early 1980s when it was linked to tampon use in menstruatin
How is Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome inherited?
Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome?
3 specialists and care centers treating Bacterial toxic-shock syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.