CNM Certified Nurse Midwife

Answer: C - Women who wear tampons during menstruation have the greatest risk for toxic shock syndrome. A tampon that is not changed for more than eight hours is a good breeding ground for bacterial growth. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus, that have entered the blood stream. Toxic shock syndrome is not sexually transmitted. Women on steroid therapy are also at risk for candidiasis, and women with a history of genital herpes may be.