What is the Difference Between Toxic Shock Syndrome and Sepsis

The key difference between toxic shock syndrome and sepsis is that toxic shock syndrome occurs when certain bacteria release toxins into the body, while sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune response in the body.

Toxic shock syndrome happens when certain bacteria release toxins into the human body. Toxic shock syndrome can be caused by group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It can lead to sepsis and septic shock, which is a life-threatening complication. Toxic shock syndrome and sepsis are two medical conditions that mainly occur due to bacterial infections.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Toxic Shock Syndrome 
3. What is Sepsis
4. Similarities – Toxic Shock Syndrome and Sepsis
5. Toxic Shock Syndrome vs Sepsis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Toxic Shock Syndrome vs Sepsis

What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when certain bacteria release toxins into the body. Anyone can experience toxic shock syndrome. However, it is more common in healthy adults. The wound through which the bacteria gain entry is often unnoticeable. Toxic shock syndrome has often been linked with the use of tampons as well. TSS is a rare condition though it develops quickly and is fatal. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by toxins released by particular strains of extremely common families of bacteria Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are everywhere, including mucous membranes like the throat, mouth, nose, and vagina. Generally, these bacteria release threatening toxins into the blood. The symptoms of TSS include confusion, extreme fatigue, weakness, high fever, headache, influenza-like symptoms, low blood pressure, pain, red eyes, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting, and widespread rashes on the skin.

Toxic shock syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, laboratory tissue sampling for bacteria, CT scan, and MRI. Furthermore, the treatment options for toxic shock syndrome are intensive care, replacing the fluid with a special mixture of liquids and electrolytes, a machine ventilator to assist breathing, medications to increase high blood pressure, antibiotics, and immunoglobulins.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune system response in the body. When infection-fighting processes are turned in the body, it causes organs to function abnormally. Sepsis may also progress to septic shock. Septic shock leads to a dramatic drop in blood pressure, which can lead to severe organ problems and death. The signs and symptoms of sepsis may include a change in mental status, systolic blood pressure less than or equal to 100 mmHg, and respiratory rate higher than or equal to 22 breaths a minute. The signs and symptoms include the need for medication to main systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 65 mmHg, high levels of lactic acid in the blood, multiple organ failure, and death. Infections in the lungs, kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system, digestive system, bloodstream, catheter sites, and wounds or burns can cause sepsis. These infections are normally due to bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Sepsis can be diagnosed through blood tests, lab tests (urine, wound secretions, and respiratory secretions), X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. Furthermore, the treatments for sepsis include stabilizing breathing and heart functions, medications (antibiotics, intravenous fluids, vasopressors), supportive care (giving oxygen and dialysis), and surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Toxic Shock Syndrome and Sepsis?

• Toxic shock syndrome and sepsis are two medical conditions that are mainly due to bacterial infections.
• Toxic shock syndrome can lead to sepsis and septic shock.
• Both conditions may cause life-threatening complications.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests and imaging testing.
• They can be treated through medications like antibiotics and intensive care.

What is the Difference Between Toxic Shock Syndrome and Sepsis?

Toxic shock syndrome occurs when certain bacteria release toxins into the body, while sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune system response in the body. Thus, this is the key difference between toxic shock syndrome and sepsis. Furthermore, toxic shock syndrome is caused by toxins released by particular strains of extremely common families of bacteria Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. On the other hand, sepsis is caused by infections of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, mainly in the lungs, kidney, bladder, and other parts of the urinary system, digestive system, bloodstream, catheter sites, and wounds or burns.

The below infographic presents the differences between toxic shock syndrome and sepsis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Toxic Shock Syndrome vs Sepsis

Toxic shock syndrome and sepsis are two conditions closely related to each other. This is because toxic shock syndrome can lead to sepsis and septic shock. Toxic shock syndrome occurs when certain bacteria release toxins into the body, while sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune system response in the body. So, this is the key difference between toxic shock syndrome and sepsis.

Reference:

1. “Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Sepsis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Gram, micrograph, staphylococcus aureus, bacteria, toxic, shock, syndrome” (CC0) via Pixino
2. “Sepsis-Mikrothomben1” By Emergency doc – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia