Student, 16, dies of toxic shock syndrome suspected to have been caused by a TAMPON after her friends found her unresponsive while her alarm was going off during a school trip

  • Sara Manitoski, 16, was on an overnight school trip in Vancouver last year 
  • Manitoski seemed to have slept through breakfast and when her bunk-mates returned they found her unresponsive with her alarm going off
  • School staff and emergency responders were unable to revive her 
  • Her medical report was released this week- it found she died of toxic shock syndrome  

By Jessica Finn For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

A 16-year-old girl who died on a school retreat in Vancouver passed away as a result of toxic shock syndrome, according to province's coroner service report.

Sara Manitoski from British Columbia was on the trip to Hornby Island, off Vancouver Island in March 2017. When her bunk-mates awoke and found her still in bed they left to go to breakfast.

When they returned, she hadn't moved and appeared lifeless as her alarm was going off.     

Sara Manitoski, 16, was on a trip with her school in 2017. When she didn't wake up for breakfast her bunk-mates figured she was sleeping in- when they returned they found her not moving, with her alarm going off

Sara Manitoski, 16, was on a trip with her school in 2017. When she didn't wake up for breakfast her bunk-mates figured she was sleeping in- when they returned they found her not moving, with her alarm going off

The province's coroner service released a report this week that she died of toxic shock syndrome 

The province's coroner service released a report this week that she died of toxic shock syndrome 

The report on Manitoski's death was completed in March, but was made public this weel

The report on Manitoski's death was completed in March, but was made public this weel

Georges P. Vanier Secondary School staff, students and emergency responders performed CPR to no avail.

The grade 11 student could not be revived.

The night before she had complained to friends about having menstrual cramps and not feeling well, but took part in the day’s activities, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

She also didn't eat much at dinner, headed to a bonfire, and went back to her cabin at 9:50pm for the evening.   

The report says a strain of staphylococcus aureus was discovered on a tampon found in place, as well as other symptoms consistent with toxic shock syndrome.

'We know there is an association. And again, it's very rare,' Island Health Medical Health Officer Dee Hoyano told CTV Vancouver Island on Monday. 

'Certainly we know a person needs to have this particular bacteria to get sick, and then there may be something with tampon use, maybe prolonged tampon use, that puts that risk higher for developing a more widespread infection.'

Symptoms of TSS are similar to the flu, with high fever nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and disorientation. 

WHAT IS TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME? 

Toxic shock syndrome is a highly dangerous bacterial infection - but it can be misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses and because it is so rare.

It occurs when usually harmless Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus bacteria, which live on the skin, invade the bloodstream and produce dangerous toxins.

Symptoms usually begin with a sudden high fever, with a temperature above 38.9C/102F.  

Within a few hours a sufferer will develop flu-like symptoms including headache, muscle aches, a sore throat and cough.

Nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, feeling faint, dizziness and confusion are also symptoms.  

Women are most at risk of getting toxic shock syndrome during menstruation and particularly if they are using tampons, have recently given birth, or are using an internal barrier contraceptive such as a diaphragm.

While tampon boxes advise to change them between four to eight hours, it is common for women to forget and leave them in overnight. 

 
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