TOXIC shock syndrome is a potentially fatal multisystem illness associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection and production of toxins. Although this syndrome usually occurs in menstruating women, we saw a case of fatal toxic shock syndrome in a young man who developed S aureus pneumonia during an influenza outbreak.
Report of a Case
A previously healthy 18-year-old male college student presented to a local hospital during an influenza outbreak with three days of fever, sore throat, myalgias, and diarrhea and one day of productive cough and dyspnea. His blood pressure was 80/60 mm Hg and his temperature was 39.4°C. He was admitted. Congested lung fields were noted. The leukocyte count was 3700/mm3 (3.7×109/L), with 18% (0.18) polymorphonuclear cells, 65% (0.65) band forms, 3% (0.3) lymphocytes, 1% (0.1) mononuclear cells, and 13% (0.13) metamyelocytes. The platelet count was 104000/mm3 (104×109/L) and the prothrombin and partial thromboplastin