Infection 14-year-old died because of a tampon

Natasha died of a rare infection through a tampon

23/11/2013

14-year-old Natasha Harriete Scott-Falber died a few months ago after using a tampon for the first time. She suffered a toxic shock syndrome. Her parents have now started a campaign to educate about the rare disease.

Also called tampon disease
The 14-year-old Natasha Harriete Scott-Falber from Wales died a few months ago from a toxic shock syndrome (TSS), also called tampon disease. The girl had gotten her period and decided to use tampons in consultation with her mother. The girl then got a fever and felt sick. No one recognized the reasons for this, so Natasha simply fell asleep and did not wake up.

TSS is a severe circulatory and organ failure, which occurs only very rarely. According to experts, there are about one case per year per 200,000 people.

Correct symptoms correctly
The disease is caused by bacteria. Theoretically, these can get through any wound in the body. It is common, however, that they penetrate through tampons in the organism. It can be dangerous, especially if tampons remain in the body too long. If the symptoms, which include fever, drop in blood pressure, itchy rash, and also muscle pain, nausea, and diarrhea, are recognized and properly interpreted, antibiotics may help.

Change tampons daily
The gynecologist Christian Alder from Aarau, Switzerland explained that tampons are safe as long as they are changed daily. TSS can develop if bacteria remain in the body cavity for too long. „And with a tampon of course there is this danger. But that's something that almost never happens and you do not have to be afraid of“, so Alder.

Parents want to enlighten
The Welsh woman died on February 14 this year. Now her parents have started a campaign to educate about the rare disease and warn all women: „If you have your period and use a tampon and then your body temperature rises or you have other symptoms: tell a doctor“, Natasha's mother warned in an interview with the broadcaster "ITV". On a Facebook page, the family draws attention to the fate of the deceased and explains: „Natasha followed all the instructions and used the tampon correctly, it was just the insertion into her body that triggered the Toxic Shock Syndrome.“ (Ad)