SOMETIMES, a story comes along which shocks even hardened journalists who have been in the business longer than we care to admit.

The death of Natasha Scott-Falber of Caerwent is such a story.

Bad enough that a 14-year-old girl loses her life for any reason. Shocking enough that she is taken away from her family.

But for the family to then discover that she died of toxic shock syndrome after using a tampon in the correct fashion for the first time is truly terrible.

I for one heartily support the family's awareness campaign, reported in Saturday's Argus, which aims to make everyone aware of the dangers and symptoms of the syndrome.

Symptoms include vomiting, high fever, a rash like sunburn, diarrhoea, fainting, muscle aches, pink eye, dizziness and confusion.

This is what the NHS has to say about toxic shock syndrome:

"Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection.

It occurs when the bacteria responsible - Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, which normally live harmlessly on the skin - invade the body's bloodstream and release poisonous toxins.

These toxins cause a sudden high fever and a massive drop in blood pressure (shock), resulting in dizziness and confusion. You may also have vomiting and diarrhoea.

The toxins also damage tissue, including skin and organs, and can disturb many vital organ functions.

What to do: TSS is a medical emergency and you should see your GP as soon as possible if you have any of the symptoms of TSS.

If your GP suspects you have TSS, you'll be admitted to hospital immediately and treated in an intensive care unit. The goal is to fight the infection with antibiotics and support any functions of the body that have been affected.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can get TSS – men, women and children. For reasons that are still not understood, a significant proportion of cases occur in women who are on their period and using a tampon, particularly tampons that are designed to be 'super absorbent’.

TSS can also occur as a result of an infected boil, insect bite or wound, for example. Some cases are associated with skin damage from a burn or scald, which allows the bacteria to enter the body and release toxins.

The risk of TSS is greater in young people. It is thought that this is because many older people have developed immunity (resistance) to the toxins produced by the bacteria.

Outlook:

If TSS is diagnosed and treated early with antibiotics, there is a good chance of recovery.

If it is left untreated, the combination of shock and organ damage can result in death."

Schools do an invaluable job in highlighting the dangers of toxic shock syndrome, and the makers of tampons include information about it in each box and on their websites, but we must all be far more aware of it within our own families.

This is a subject which should be spoken of openly by mothers and daughters, sisters, aunts and nieces. But male relatives also need to know the potential dangers and symptoms, so they can do their bit.

There is no place for embarrassment when it comes to potentially saving lives.

Thankfully, the incidence of TSS deaths in the UK is small - two or three a year.

But just one from such a treatable condition is one too many.

More information is available on www.tssis.com/

 

 

HOW THE GRINCH RECYCLES CHRISTMAS

 

OH how I loathe the consumer-fest that Christmas has become.

And I loathe the fact that I am writing this in November, weeks before the feeling would usually overcome me. Because it is EVERYWHERE.

In every shop, in every press release, everyone's talking about it. Even me. Doh! Even I have fallen for it.

Now you may think I am the Valleys Grinch, but I shall have none of that.

I could enjoy Christmas were it to be kept to the back end of the month of December as it was when I was a child and everything was in black and white.

That Christmas Eve, no more to worry about, lock the door and look forward to spending time with your nearest and dearest feeling is pretty special.

Of course, the ritual turning on of the Christmas lights around Gwent begins this week.

The surest signal that the annual shopping-fest is well under way. Long gone are the days when town Christmas lights were more about civic pride or local children than people queuing to buy an X-Box.

This year, as an act of rebellion, I am stepping up my present recycling. I am sure that one of my friends will love that set of scented candles I've been keeping since my birthday.

Just remember folks - keep a note of who gave you the present, or you could end up committing the faux pas of returning it to sender.