Toxic shock syndrome in Oregon. Risk of recurrence

To define the risk of having a recurrence of toxic shock syndrome, we collected information on 53 cases (42 definite and 11 probable cases) that occurred in Oregon between Jan 1, 1980, and May 30, 1982. For the 777 person-months for which follow-up information was available, only one probable recurrent case of toxic shock syndrome occurred. The low frequency of recurrences may be associated with the high frequency (91%) with which beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics were used in initial episodes of toxic shock syndrome and with the relatively low proportion (44%) of menstruating women who resumed the use of tampons after their first episode.