ABSTRACT
Prior to 1979, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) was a rare disease described primarily in children. During the epidemic in 1979 to 1981, TSS became recognized as a disease that occurs primarily in menstruating women using tampons. Tampon users were demonstrated to be more likely to develop menstrual TSS than nonusers. Although recent focus has shifted to nonmenstrual cases, which have occurred in conjunction with wound infections, postpartum endometritis, and vaginitis, the predominance of cases continues to be related to menstruation.
