Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman SERENA DIMASO
District 13 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Health to establish public awareness campaign on toxic shock syndrome.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning toxic shock syndrome and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but potentially serious illness that is caused by specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which produce toxins;
b. Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone, but many cases of the illness are associated with menstruating women using tampons or other intravaginal devices;
c. Early symptoms of toxic shock syndrome may include a low grade fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue;
d. As toxic shock syndrome progresses, symptoms may include a high grade fever, red rash, vomiting, faintness, low blood pressure, mental confusion, and redness of the eyes, lips, and tongue;
e. Toxic shock syndrome can be prevented by handwashing, keeping skin wounds clean and covered with a bandage, checking skin wounds for signs of infection, and using low absorbency tampons and changing them often; and
f. It is appropriate to take measures through education to significantly reduce medical problems and deaths attributable to toxic shock syndrome.
2. The Commissioner of Health shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about toxic shock syndrome. The campaign shall include, at a minimum, information about the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and the most effective means of prevention.
3. The Department of Health shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to implement the provisions of section 2 of this act.
4. This act shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a public awareness campaign about toxic shock syndrome, a rare but potentially serious illness that is caused by specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which produce toxins. Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone, but many cases of the illness are associated with menstruating women using tampons or other intravaginal devices.
The public awareness campaign is to include, at a minimum, information about the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and the most effective means of prevention.