 [ Symptoms ] if i leave a tampon in too long am i at risk for toxic shock syndrome [ Disease ] toxic shock syndrome or tss a life threatening illness caused from a bacterial infection made headlines in 1980 when an outbreak occurred that mostly involved young women who had been using a specific brand of very absorbent tampons the brand is now off the market  the bacteria produce toxins that cause toxic shock syndrome tss is marked by a sudden onset of fever chills diarrhea vomiting muscle aches and rash some experts say that very absorbent tampons when left in place for a long time become a breeding ground for bacteria and cause the syndrome others say how long you leave in a tampon does not increase your risk of getting sick ideally how long should you leave in a tampon follow what the package insert says  suggests deidre defoe md clinical director of rachel is well a nonprofit women is health care organization based in virginia know that the condition is rare in the u s about one or two of every 100 000 women ages 15 to 44 get toxic shock syndrome annually according to the cdc