Texas Teacher Survives Near-Fatal Toxic Shock Syndrome After Tampon Misuse
A teacher in Texas nearly died from a rare bacterial infection she contracted after keeping her tampon in for too long.
Ashley DeSkeere, 43, woke up one morning last month with ‘major chills’ and intense waves of nausea, vomiting every half hour.
At first, she thought she had caught a regular stomach bug from a family wedding she attended two days before. But within three days, her blood pressure plummeted and she struggled to breathe.
The mother-of-three rushed to the hospital, where doctors found she had developed a one-in-100,000 condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which was caused by keeping her tampon in for eight hours during the wedding.
Ashley DeSkeere, 43, suffered from vomiting and breathing difficulties after attending a wedding with her husband and children.
Mrs DeSkeere, a teacher in Texas, was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome, a one-in-100,000 bacterial infection, from leaving her tampon in for eight hours. She is pictured here hooked up to six different antibiotics.
Mrs DeSkeere, who was told she was ‘lucky’ to be alive, is now warning other women to change their tampons regularly to avoid the deadly infection, or avoid the sanitary products altogether.
She said: ‘I was very scared. I said to my husband that I thought I was dying. I have never felt so awful in my entire life.’
‘I will never use a tampon again. This absolutely terrified me and I cannot believe it happened and there is no way I would do it.’
TSS is a rare but life-threatening infection caused by toxins produced by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and group A streptococcus (strep).
Leaving tampons in the vagina for long periods during menstruation can create a warm environment that encourages bacteria to grow.
Tampons, especially super-absorbent ones, can stick to the vaginal walls, leading to tiny abrasions that allow bacteria to seep into the bloodstream.
However, approximately half of TSS cases arise from factors other than tampons, including skin wounds or infections. In some instances, swimming in contaminated water with an open wound could prompt TSS.
The condition kills anywhere from three to seven out of ten patients, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Mrs DeSkeere’s doctors began suspecting TSS when they realized she had just completed her monthly menstrual cycle.
She told doctors tampons were all she ever used during her periods and the longest she had ever worn one was eight hours. She said: ‘I typically change them every four hours and during the night.’
‘For something like this to happen to me, eight hours doesn’t seem enough.’
The FDA recommends changing tampons every four to eight hours and using the lowest absorbency tampons possible to reduce the risk, as well as only using a tampon when menstruating.
Mrs DeSkeere was admitted to the intensive care unit for five days, where doctors had to hook her up to six different intravenous antibiotics to eliminate the infection.
Antibiotics, fluids, and medications to stabilize blood pressure are standard treatment for TSS.
‘Multiple doctors told me I was very lucky that I was able to make it to the hospital as most people die after two days [with this], and I was on day two-and-a-half.’
‘I was told that I came in at the right time because if I had come in any later, they may not have been able to do anything for me.’
‘It’s one of those things that you don’t think is going to happen to you and you don’t hear about it as much these days.’
Mrs DeSkeere, pictured here recovering at home, spent five days in the intensive care unit recovering from the near-deadly infection.
The mother-of-three is now warning other women to change their tampons often or seek out alternative sanitary products.
Little is known about long-term effects from TSS, and most women recover fully. However, some reports indicate mental and emotional challenges, such as difficulty concentrating and muscle weakness.
TSS has not been shown to impact fertility or reproductive health.
Though she had used tampons for 25 years, Mrs DeSkeere is now opting for other sanitary products to avoid TSS.
She said: ‘To people that do want to use tampons, my advice is to just change them very frequently.’
‘My advice would be to change your tampon every time you go to the bathroom and to never wear one that is a higher absorbency than you need.’
‘I am just grateful to be where I am today and getting better. It has been a rough recovery and harder than I thought it would be but every day I’m getting better and better.’
Mrs DeSkeere’s treatment was extensive and included cultures, blood tests, fluids, imaging, and multiple antibiotics. Now, her loved ones are raising money to help pay for her medical expenses through GoFundMe.
Discussion with Experts
To delve deeper into the implications of this case, we invited a panel of experts to share their insights:
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Infectious Disease Specialist
- Jennifer Lee, Gynecologist
- Mark Anderson, Public Health Educator
Dr. Thompson emphasized the rarity of TSS, stating, “While TSS can be life-threatening, proper education around menstrual health can significantly reduce risks.”
Jennifer Lee added, “It’s crucial for women to be aware of the signs of TSS and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms like high fever and rash.”
Mark Anderson highlighted the importance of awareness campaigns, saying, “Cases like Mrs. DeSkeere’s can serve as powerful cautionary tales that inform and educate others about safe practices.”
What are your thoughts on this alarming situation? How can we better educate women about menstrual health? Share your opinions in the comments below!