Toxic Shock Syndrome Following Influenza-like Illness: The First Case Report in a Young Child

Toxic shock syndrome in children following infection with influenza is a very rare syndrome. If it is not diagnosed quickly, it may cause significant morbidity and mortality. For diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome, clinical and laboratory criteria are used. Our patient is a 3.5-year old boy who admitted to the hospital with high fever, weakness, toxicity, hypotension and skin rash due to influenza-like Illness (fever, pharyngitis, rhinitis and non-productive cough) associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated liver enzymes levels, low platelet count and mucosal hyperemia. After the treatment, he recovered and was discharged from the hospital in good condition, but had mild scaling on the soles of the feet and between toes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in a young child. There is not any specific diagnostic test for toxic shock syndrome diagnosis, and the diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory findings. Therefore, the early detection and treatment of the condition is very important because delay in treatment leads to increased mortality and morbidity.