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Page 8 — NEWS
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Toxic Shock Syndrome
By Carla Johnson 43 of 44 appropriately cultured T.S.S. support the conclusion that there is a
Jr. Reporter patients. All isolates of S.aureus from significant association between tampons
Toxic Shock Syndrome is a very rare T.S.S. patients that have been examined and T.S.S. cases, all have occurred in
disease that affects women of in CDC laboratories havebeen penicillin women using tampons. The study shown
menstruating age. How many women resistant. S.aureus has not been recovered above demonstrates that the brand of
that actually get T.S.S. cannot be f r0 m unused tampons, including those tampon a woman uses is likely to affect
determined. It was estimated that T.S.S. from tampon boxes used by T.S.S. her risk of developing T.S.S. Consumer
affects 3 in 100,000 women; however, patients. Approximately 95% of all use of Rely tampons has increased as the
since there is incomplete reporting of reported cases of T.S.S. in women have apparent incidence of T.S.S. has
cases, this rate was based on severe cases occurred during a menstrual period. A increased.
meeting a strict case definition that significant association between tampon Whatever roles S.aureus and tampons
requires evidence of hypotension (low use, particularly continuous use during play in the development of T.S.S. certain
blood pressure) and involvement of three the menstrual period, and the preventive measures can be identified.
°_ r J^ re or 8 an systems. development of T.S.S. was found. CDC 1. Women can almost entirely
T.S.S. is a severe illness characterized designed a case-control study that eliminate their risk of T.S.S. by not using
by a sudden onset of high fever with focused on tampon brands. They used tampons.
vomiting, diarrhea, and myalgia, -T.S.S. patients who had onset of illness in 2. Women who choose to use tampons
followed by development of hypotension July or August, 1980. These women were can reduce their risk by using them
and in severe cases, shock. An questioned about tampon, napkin, or intermittently during each menstrual
erythematous, sunburn-like rash is minipad use, brand of tampon used, and period (not using them all day and all
present during the acute phase of the pattern of use for the menstrual cycle in night throughout the period),
illness; about 10 days after onset, there is which they became ill. Fifty of fifty cases 3. If you choose to use tampons and a
desquamation (peeling) of the skin, used tampons during the menstrual high fever and vomiting or diarrhea
particularly of the palms and soles. period associated with their illness, develop during your menstrual period,
The cause of Toxic Shock Syndrome is Women who only used one brand of discontinue tampon use and consult a
unknown, however the bacteria tampon were analyzed to determine how physician immediately.
Straphlococcus aureus and tampons are many of them had T.S.S. The results are 4. If you are a student in the A.U.
associated with T.S.S. In a recent study listed in the table at the end of this Center, contact the Family Planning
done by the Centers for Disease Control article. Clinic on Spelman College campus.
S.aureus was isolated from the vaginas of The results of this and previous studies Management of women suspected of
Students Respond To Ebony Article
having T.S.S. includes a careful vaginal
examination with removal of any
retained tampons, inclusion of cervical
and vaginal cultures for S.aureus among
other cultures performed, and aggressive
fluid replacement. CDC recommends
Table
Results
Cases
Controls
Tampon Brand
(N=42)
(N=114)
Rely
71%
26%
Platex
19%
25%
Tampax
5%
25%
Kotex
2%
12%
OB
2%
11%
that women who have had an episode of
T.S.S. not use tampons at least until
S.aureus has been eradicated from the
vagina. Due to the high association
between Rely tampons and T.S.S. Rely
tampons have been taken off the market.
Invest in the future, take care of yourself
now.
Continued from page 1
all.”
—Rhoda Littles, Spelman senior
“After readint the article, my first
reaction was that men possibly have the
same criterias concerning what they are
looking for in their wives. Because of the
situation of the economy, and the
generation we are in, a two income family
is common and becoming a necessity.
When couples match themselves caliber
wise, they will cut down on the stress in
the relationship, and they will have more
in common. I do not think there’s
anything wrong with chosing someone
selectively, but keep in mind the
importance of getting married to an
individual for what they can offer
mentally, not always only financially.”
— Andre M. Carter, Morehouse
freshman
“I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know
that Black women were hung up on the
status of a man rather than the man
himself, maybe that’s just typical of a
Spelman woman —she’s more concerned
with status.”
— Tamela Townsend, Spelman
sophomore
"The article was very interesting and
true in many cases. Most women today
are into their careers and want someone
who they can relate with. Many of the
blue collar workers are unable to
communicate on an academic level as
someone who is in a specialized field as
mine: psychology. I personally want
someone who is equal or above.”
— Tracy Waller, Spelman senior
“I feel that the article was somewhat
unjust. It depicted Black women at
Spelman as wanting something unusual.
The article makes generalizations about
Black women as if we make no exceptions
to the rule, “that her man has to have
professional stature, high income, college
degrees, and good looks.” This is not true
and 1 don’t understand how the author
could suggest such I feel that most
women basically want someone who has
something to offer, be it success, love,
money security or whatever, and not
someone who has nothing to offer. This is
not unique to our generation.”
— Mechelle V. Smith,
Spelman junior
“I don’t feel as though weiset our
standards too high. First of all we have to
question what “too high” means. I feel as
though any woman who has taken the
time, and who has the discipline to dt-tend
a four year school, should and has the
right to want a man who:hasids rpfueh
education. I, however, do not think that
we (the Black women of Spelman
College) discriminate.
The mentality of most successful Black
men is definately contrary to the
mentality of Black men with less
education because they (the college
educated ones) feel that they have so
much to offer and that they are in great
demand. With that in mind, we as Black
women sometimes have to project an air
of over confidence in order to just
compete.”
— Sherry Blackshear, Spelman junior
“I feel that some people do set
standards for marriage, and that has to do
with their households (upbringing). All
mothers want their daughters to marry
doctors and lawyers, but I feel that if the
relationship is true and if the woman is
interested and really trying to get to know
the other person for what he is, then she
wouldn’t have to worry about what kind
of job he has.
There are a lot of girls who do set
standards and who do come to Spelman
to get married, and then again — some of
the people who are going to be doctors
Ann Dennard Story—
Continued from page 6
realize I haven’t done well. But when I
r JJ tX- Of'
have worked hard, I have confidence. I
was taught to only perform in places that
show you off at your best.”
“I would hope that regardless if my
singing is not their kind of music and they
happen to be there, that people will at
least be polite, courteous, and respectful.”
Ms. Dennard has not been a braggart
about her talent. Nor has she searched for
a way to intimidate mediocre singers.
“I don’t see any reason why they should
and lawyers have such bigegoes that you
can’t get to them anyway. They think all
these girls are after them, their egoes are
constantly growing, and they think they
don’t need you anyway. So why even
bother to try to find one?
Men can be just as finicky as we are. In
today’s society, the man is more
concerned with quantity rather than
quality, and they are not ready to settle
down. They’re out looking for the
baddest girl they can find and they want
one that their friends will admire. Around
here, if you’re not light skinned with long
hair and wear bad clothes you can forget
it! But that goes both ways, because there
are some good looking girls that you can’t
get to, either. They should remember that
God gave it to them and he can take it
away.”
be intimidated. I am in a stage of learning
myself. I would not have the audacity to
criticize someone, wfien I am just as
equally vulnerable to criticism.”
With such a bright outlook and a
positive philosophy, Ms. Dennard should
have a wonderful future in whatever she
seeks to endeavor.
“A good voice will make a good voice,
but the great artist needs talent, skill, a
fine mind, and a big soul.”
“A criticism is like a flame, what it licks
it destroys. It rarely brightens.”
Ingredients of great logic.
Professional Black Women
Esther Rolle
Continued from Page 7
When asked about the future of black
women in the theater Ms. Rolle replied,
“Be ever critical of yourself, dishonesty to
self is our major downfall.” She stressed
that the black woman has got to be
selective about the things she does,
“because if we don’t we are halping people
to insult us.”
Ms. Rolle is superb because she has an
abundance of emotion that allows her to
share with others and still have some for
herself. She is a positive image for
everyone because she believes that “pride
in oneself is the key to success,” a message
we can all benefit from.
Continued from page 4 .70/ v
affairs director; in medicine, Dr. Juel P.
Borders; in the performing arts, Ms.
Joyce F. Johnson, professor of music at
Spelman College, in politics, Mrs.
Henrietta Canty, a former state
representative; in religion, Rev. Barbara
King Blake of the Hillside Chapel and
Truth Center and in artistic innovation,
Ms. Debra Benton.
Collections of Life and Heritage
President Dap Moore commented that
blacks have the responsibility to pass on
to posterity a comprehensive record of
the trials and triumphs of black
Americans.
Atlanta was selected as the
headquarters of the corporation “because
of its esteemed black colleges, successful
black businesses, famous black churches,
and its vanguard accomplishments in
producing black leaders.”