A TALENTED teenager who died suddenly earlier this year suffered from toxic shock syndrome caused by her first use of a tampon.

The Argus reported earlier this year how Natasha Scott-Falber, of Canon Lane, Caerwent, was staying at her dad Michael Falber’s home in Magor when she died on the morning of Valentine's Day.

At the time, her family believed she had died from suspected septicaemia but a post published on a tribute page to the schoolgirl said the youngster had died from toxic shock syndrome the first time she had used tampons.

The post, written by Natasha’s mum Mandy Scott, step dad Mike Scott and brother Daniel Falber on the Facebook page ‘In Loving Memory of Natasha Harriete Scott-Falber, said they would now be starting an awareness campaign about toxic shock syndrome to make everyone in the UK aware of the symptoms and risks.

It 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.”

The Argus previously reported how the teenager, who had dreams of starring in the West End, had been described as “beautiful and full of life” by her family.

The Wyedean School pupil acted, played guitar, was a member of musical youth theatre company WAWWA and the Angel School of Dance, Chepstow, as well as Wyedean Gospel Choir and Wyedean Choir singing in concerts at home and abroad.

She was also a committed Christian, had raised thousands of pounds for charities, had visited Uganda with family to help build houses for homeless children and was also an Argus papergirl.

The teenager had started to feel ill five days prior to her death with what was suspected to be the norovirus but her condition deteriorated and at the time, her family said she died from what was thought to be septicaemia.

The post continued: “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 you and your family never have to go through what we have gone through, and are still going through.”

It added contact had been made with Public Health Wales, the two main tampon companies, and that some success had been had with GPs and the education system in Gwent.

The post said: “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.”

The post added: “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.”

Condition is very rare

Toxic shock syndrome is very rare and, according to www.toxicshock.com, two to three people die from it each year.

With early diagnosis it can be successfully treated.

The symptoms of toxic shock syndrome normally begin with a sudden high fever and other symptoms then develop which can include vomiting, a sunburn-like skin rash, with the whites of the eyes becoming red/pink, diarrhoea, fainting or feeling faint, muscle aches, dizziness and confusion.

Shedding of the skin is usually seen one or two weeks after becoming ill.

If you develop a sudden fever and one or more of the other symptoms listed above, it is still extremely unlikely you have toxic shock syndrome but contact should be made with your GP local out-of-hours service or NHS Direct immediately.