Dallas, Texas – A Texas teacher found herself fighting for her life after contracting a rare bacterial infection when she left a tampon in for too long. Ashley DeSkeere, 43, woke up one morning experiencing severe chills and vomiting. Initially thinking it was a stomach bug from a recent family wedding, DeSkeere’s condition quickly deteriorated, leading to a terrifying ordeal that landed her in the hospital.
Doctors diagnosed DeSkeere with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a one-in-100,000 bacterial infection that can be life-threatening. The infection was attributed to DeSkeere leaving a tampon in for eight hours during the wedding. Now, DeSkeere is advocating for women to change their tampons regularly to avoid the deadly infection.
TSS, caused by toxins produced by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and group A streptococcus (strep), can be triggered when tampons are left in the vagina for extended periods during menstruation. The warm environment created can encourage bacteria to grow, leading to potential health risks. While half of TSS cases are linked to factors other than tampons, such as skin wounds or infections, the condition remains a serious concern.
Following a harrowing five-day stay in the intensive care unit, DeSkeere was treated with six different intravenous antibiotics to combat the infection. She is now on the path to recovery but emphasizes the importance of taking precautions when using tampons, including heeding the FDA’s recommendation to change tampons every four to eight hours.
Despite using tampons for 25 years, DeSkeere has decided to switch to alternative sanitary products to reduce her risk of TSS. While long-term effects of TSS are not well understood, DeSkeere is focused on raising awareness to ensure others are proactive in their menstrual hygiene practices. Her recovery journey serves as a reminder of the potentially severe consequences that can arise from seemingly routine choices.