Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in Kentucky

• Early symptoms: Fever, chills, severe muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and a generalized feeling of being unwell.
• Rapid progression: Low blood pressure (hypotension), rapid heart rate, confusion or dizziness, and signs of organ failure (e.g., kidney failure, difficulty breathing).
• Often accompanied by a painful soft tissue infection, which may or may not have a visible rash.

*Streptococcus pyogenes* bacteria, which cause STSS, are commonly found in the throat and on the skin. STSS typically occurs when these bacteria invade deeper tissues or the bloodstream, often through breaks in the skin like cuts, surgical wounds, or even chickenpox lesions. While the bacteria can spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets or direct contact, invasive disease like STSS is less about direct transmission of the syndrome itself and more about the bacteria finding an entry point into the body of a susceptible individual.

• Practice good hand hygiene, especially after coughing, sneezing, or caring for wounds.
• Promptly clean and cover all cuts, scrapes, and wounds to prevent bacterial entry.
• Seek medical attention for deep or infected wounds, or if a skin infection rapidly worsens.
• Currently, there is no vaccine specifically for Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.