Using tampon kills UK teen who suffered toxic shock syndrome: family
Fourteen-year-old Natasha Scott-Falber’s relatives are fighting to improve sexual education after, they say, the student, of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, died on Valentine’s Day after using her first tampon. They had previously suspected a different cause of death.
Natasha Scott-Falber’s tragic death has inspired her family to reach out to public health agencies and tampon makers.
An aspiring West End star was killed after using her first tampon and suffering toxic shock syndrome, her distraught family has revealed.
Talented 14-year-old Natasha Scott-Falber died on Valentine's Day just a few days after using the product for the first time.
Her horrified relatives believed she suffered from septicaemia, but on Friday they exposed the real reason and said they will fight to make the country aware of the fatal dangers.
Natasha's mom, Mandy Scott; dad, Michael Falber; stepdad, Mike Scott; and brother Daniel Falber paid tribute to the schoolgirl.
They said: "Generally speaking, it is accepted knowledge that leaving a tampon in for too long can cause toxic shock syndrome.
"In Natasha's case, she followed all of the instructions and used the tampon correctly, it was simply the introduction of the tampon into her body which caused toxic shock syndrome to take effect."
Natasha, of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, was found dead at her dad's home earlier this year.
The Wyedean School pupil started to feel ill five days prior to her death with what was suspected to be the norovirus, but her condition severely deteriorated and, at the time, her family said she died from what was thought to be septicaemia.
Natasha Scott-Falber and her brother Daniel Falber. The teen, who dreamed of being a West End actress, died from toxic shock syndrome after using a tampon correctly, relatives say.
Caters News Agency
Natasha Scott-Falber and her brother Daniel Falber. The teen, who dreamed of being a West End actress, died from toxic shock syndrome after using a tampon correctly, relatives say.
But following a post-mortem and toxic tests, medical investigations revealed Natasha died as a direct result of toxic shock syndrome.
The family added: "We cannot express how much we miss our beautiful, gifted, kind and funny Natasha.
"All of our family, and many others close to us, are still reeling from the shock of losing our wonderful girl.
"We hope that no one else and their family ever have to go through what we have gone through, and are still going through."
RELATED: HYGIENE HORROR: WOMAN FINDS MOLDY TAMPON
Natasha, who dreamed of becoming a West End star, was a committed Christian and raised thousands for charities — she even visited Uganda to help build homes for underprivileged children.
Just hours after using the tampon, she started showing symptoms of toxic shock syndrome — suffering a sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and skin rash.
The family is now calling for action to be taken by public health bodies across the country and appealed for more to be done when young girls are informed about sexual education.
Natasha Scott-Falber. It’s not known why tampons are linked with toxic shock syndrome, according to an expert, but tampon absorbency is thought to be a factor.
Caters News Agency
Natasha Scott-Falber. It’s not known why tampons are linked with toxic shock syndrome, according to an expert, but tampon absorbency is thought to be a factor.
The relatives have held close talks with Public Health Wales, the two main tampon companies, and say they have achieved some success with GPs and the education system in Gwent.
The family added: "All the age-appropriate pupils attending schools in Gwent have been made aware of toxic shock syndrome. We are determined to make at least everyone in the UK aware of what the symptoms are and what the risks are.
"We also want to take this opportunity to thank all our friends who have been supporting us through this terrible time. Please keep praying for us, keep helping us and keep caring for us."
A spokesman for health care specialists BUPA said: "There is no clear way to prevent the infection of toxic shock syndrome and can affect everyone — men, women and children.
"This is a devastating example of the need to act urgently when symptoms are spotted.
"The key advice is to look out for the symptoms and seek medical treatment straight away if you think you have toxic shock syndrome.
"It's not exactly understood why using a tampon is linked with toxic shock syndrome, but tampon absorbency (the amount of menstrual blood a tampon absorbs) is thought to be a factor."
A spokesman for Public Health Wales said: "We have been contacted by Natasha's family and our local staff are working with them to support their awareness campaign.
"Her death was a tragedy and something we don't want to see happen again."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...hock-syndrome-article-1.1520651#ixzz2l6mdNuQW
Fourteen-year-old Natasha Scott-Falber’s relatives are fighting to improve sexual education after, they say, the student, of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, died on Valentine’s Day after using her first tampon. They had previously suspected a different cause of death.
Natasha Scott-Falber’s tragic death has inspired her family to reach out to public health agencies and tampon makers.
An aspiring West End star was killed after using her first tampon and suffering toxic shock syndrome, her distraught family has revealed.
Talented 14-year-old Natasha Scott-Falber died on Valentine's Day just a few days after using the product for the first time.
Her horrified relatives believed she suffered from septicaemia, but on Friday they exposed the real reason and said they will fight to make the country aware of the fatal dangers.
Natasha's mom, Mandy Scott; dad, Michael Falber; stepdad, Mike Scott; and brother Daniel Falber paid tribute to the schoolgirl.
They said: "Generally speaking, it is accepted knowledge that leaving a tampon in for too long can cause toxic shock syndrome.
"In Natasha's case, she followed all of the instructions and used the tampon correctly, it was simply the introduction of the tampon into her body which caused toxic shock syndrome to take effect."
Natasha, of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, was found dead at her dad's home earlier this year.
The Wyedean School pupil started to feel ill five days prior to her death with what was suspected to be the norovirus, but her condition severely deteriorated and, at the time, her family said she died from what was thought to be septicaemia.
Natasha Scott-Falber and her brother Daniel Falber. The teen, who dreamed of being a West End actress, died from toxic shock syndrome after using a tampon correctly, relatives say.
Caters News Agency
Natasha Scott-Falber and her brother Daniel Falber. The teen, who dreamed of being a West End actress, died from toxic shock syndrome after using a tampon correctly, relatives say.
But following a post-mortem and toxic tests, medical investigations revealed Natasha died as a direct result of toxic shock syndrome.
The family added: "We cannot express how much we miss our beautiful, gifted, kind and funny Natasha.
"All of our family, and many others close to us, are still reeling from the shock of losing our wonderful girl.
"We hope that no one else and their family ever have to go through what we have gone through, and are still going through."
RELATED: HYGIENE HORROR: WOMAN FINDS MOLDY TAMPON
Natasha, who dreamed of becoming a West End star, was a committed Christian and raised thousands for charities — she even visited Uganda to help build homes for underprivileged children.
Just hours after using the tampon, she started showing symptoms of toxic shock syndrome — suffering a sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and skin rash.
The family is now calling for action to be taken by public health bodies across the country and appealed for more to be done when young girls are informed about sexual education.
Natasha Scott-Falber. It’s not known why tampons are linked with toxic shock syndrome, according to an expert, but tampon absorbency is thought to be a factor.
Caters News Agency
Natasha Scott-Falber. It’s not known why tampons are linked with toxic shock syndrome, according to an expert, but tampon absorbency is thought to be a factor.
The relatives have held close talks with Public Health Wales, the two main tampon companies, and say they have achieved some success with GPs and the education system in Gwent.
The family added: "All the age-appropriate pupils attending schools in Gwent have been made aware of toxic shock syndrome. We are determined to make at least everyone in the UK aware of what the symptoms are and what the risks are.
"We also want to take this opportunity to thank all our friends who have been supporting us through this terrible time. Please keep praying for us, keep helping us and keep caring for us."
A spokesman for health care specialists BUPA said: "There is no clear way to prevent the infection of toxic shock syndrome and can affect everyone — men, women and children.
"This is a devastating example of the need to act urgently when symptoms are spotted.
"The key advice is to look out for the symptoms and seek medical treatment straight away if you think you have toxic shock syndrome.
"It's not exactly understood why using a tampon is linked with toxic shock syndrome, but tampon absorbency (the amount of menstrual blood a tampon absorbs) is thought to be a factor."
A spokesman for Public Health Wales said: "We have been contacted by Natasha's family and our local staff are working with them to support their awareness campaign.
"Her death was a tragedy and something we don't want to see happen again."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...hock-syndrome-article-1.1520651#ixzz2l6mdNuQW
