Sinus Infections Cause Toxic Shock in Children

[Sasha]

I had never thought about toxic shock being caused by things other than a tampon... something to keep in mind next time you run on a kid with a runny nose!

Sinus Infections Cause Toxic Shock in Children
Full Article Here:

SAN FRANCISCO, June 15 -- Rhinosinusitis is responsible for 21% of toxic shock syndrome cases in children, a single-center study has found.

Cases of toxic shock syndrome associated with rhinosinusitis had a higher incidence of intensive care unit admission, pressor administration, and intubation than other cases.

Although toxic shock syndrome is popularly associated with tampon use, the earliest descriptions of its hallmark symptoms -- fever, erythrodermatoid rash, and hypotension -- were associated with other risk factors, Dr. Chan noted.

Over an 18-year period, 76 patients (average age 10) had been identified as having toxic shock syndrome.

Among them, 23 were also diagnosed with acute or chronic rhinosinusitis. Seventeen of these cases had no other source of infection. The cases included:

Four patients had proven toxic shock syndrome (four of four criteria) and proven rhinosinusitis with a positive Gram stain or culture plus radiographic evidence.

Two patients had probable toxic shock syndrome (three of four criteria) and proven rhinosinusitis.

Seven patients had proven toxic shock syndrome and possible rhinosinusitis.

Three patients had probable toxic shock syndrome and possible rhinosinusitis.


The researchers noted that the signs of infection can be modest relative to the profound multiorgan involvement, with potentially subtle presentation of rhinosinusitis in children.

 

[Ridryder911]

Anything that is moist, wet and has the temp of body heat can produce the bacteria that produces TSS.

R/r 911

 

[mycrofft]

We saw two adult cases in less than a week once.

As the symptoms grew worse, each finally admitted to snorting cocaine (at the same party. Probably used the same straw, which can pass on bloodborne pathogens, meningiococcal infections, MRSA, etc.).

My infant daughter nearly died from exotoxic gastroenteritis caused by bacteria in her sinuses dripping stuff down her throat giving her intractable vomitting, then diarreah. A chance Waters' vied xray of her skull revealed congealed sinuses, and after amoxicillin proved ineffective, a course of Bactrim did the trick. Her pediatrician never believed it.