Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a rare but serious complication that can happen after someone is infected with group A Streptococcus bacteria. STSS happens most often when the bacteria release toxins that get into the blood or into the deep tissue of the body, such as in the liver or kidney. STSS causes a sudden severe pain in the part of the body that is infected. This can lead to symptoms like high fever, low blood pressure, organ failure, and shock. It is not often easy to tell how someone became infected with group A streptococcal bacteria. Most likely it is through blunt trauma (getting hit without the skin breaking), injuries to muscles, joints, or bones such as muscle strains, or penetrating trauma (injury that breaks the skin) such as surgery or giving birth vaginally. There is no vaccine for group A streptococcus infections or STSS.
Information for the general public
Information for Public Health Departments
- Disease plan
- The Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book)
- CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel