Toxic shock syndrome, sometimes referred to by the initials TSS, is a bacterial illness that first came to attention in the late 1970s, when symptoms of high fever, rash, low blood pressure and organ failure were linked to certain tampon use in American women.

Despite its discovery related to women’s products, men and children can acquire the syndrome because common staph bacteria cause it. Although staph is present in healthy people in the moist surfaces of the body, like mucous membranes in the nose or vagina, the bacteria become toxic when it gets into the bloodstream through cuts, abrasions or open wounds and releases toxins.

The symptoms of the disease have been described in medical journals as early as the 1920s, although it only became a formal diagnosis when high-absorbency tampons, used by the majority of women, were suspected of causing an outbreak of illnesses.

Further research into the issue has noted that the highly absorbent tampons may dry out and tear the vagina lining when removed, allowing the opportunistic staph germs an entry path. Other research blames the tampons themselves, noting that if left in too long, they become a bacteria breeding ground.

Although it’s rare, contraceptive sponges and diaphragms have been blamed for the onset of toxic shock syndrome in women.

For men and children, the syndrome develops from a strep or staph infection that takes advantage of wounds or weakened immune systems during flu season.