Quote:
Originally Posted by NutMeg
It's called toxic shock syndrome, and it's extremely rare. I'm not clear on the details but I'm sure you can Google it if you're curious.
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It's rare,but I have seen a number of cases,not just from tampons,but in post op patients and burn patients. It pressents with a high fever- I mean 104 ish! The person always looks sunburnt,they have a palmar rash,and they have very low blood pressure and tend to feel panicky and confused. That's how they present even before the labs. Often the labs show multi organ involement-kidney enzymes go up,etc. White blood cell count can be deceptive in some people. As shock gets worse, the temperature starts to fall. With blood pressure falling and electrolyte derangement,the kidneys begin to fail from lack of perfusion-that means circulation becomes limited. The heart beats very fast,and the pH of the blood begins to rise. The person begins to breathe very fast to keep up with metabolic demands. Before the infection can be treated, blood pressure will need to ba stabilized,the person will also need hydration,possible intubation,and a number of IV sites. This is a trip to the ICU. Toxic shock is serious.I had a classmate die from it,and my aunt spent some time in the hospital with it after a minor surgery.
We also have more virulant forms of staph now than ever before. The reason for the staph epidemics that are antibiotic resistant is because people tend to go to their doctors and ask for an antibiotic for things like colds and sore throats. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT WORK AGAINST VIRUSES! Antibiotics treat bacterial infections.Some people bitch and moan and the doctor gives in,cause s/he does not like complaints. Two days later,the patient feels better and may or may not stop taking their drugs. Sometimes they get the not very bright idea of saving it for the next cold. They have just weakened their immune system.
You get a cold,a flu,shingles,viral pneumonia-rest,drink plenty of water,wash your hands,and it will go away on its own. Viruses are self limiting. They also use your genetic material to replicate. (Bacteria don't care about your ribonucleic acid or your DNA......they have little baby bacteria on their own) Your immune system and all its wisdom (if you haven't damaged it) will take care of the virus. A fever and the ick feeling means its making white blood cells. Those white blood cells are a powerful army of virus killers,and they eat them right up. In the hospital, we do not give tylenol till a temperature is over 101.5,and thats only for comfort reasons. Fever has a purpose-its an immune response. Start drinking more water,and that will help!
The most important thing you can do this flu season,shot or not,is wash your hands. Viral material can be waiting on the desk,the door handle at Starbucks,the sink knob,etc. Always carry alcohol gel when you have no handy sink (like when you are at a restaraunt,etc). Be happy and healthy this season!
