Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
high

Relatively rare in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) but can be seen with aggressive skin and soft-tissue infections.[122][123]

In patients aged ≤40 years, bacteremia is associated with puerperal sepsis, intravenous drug use, and HIV infections.[122][124]

In patients >40 years of age, burns, surgical procedures, nosocomial infections, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, malignancy, corticosteroid use, immunosuppression, and cardiac disease have been implicated.[125][126][127]

Sepsis

short term
high

Secondary to capillary leak and vasodilation.

Develops in 55% of patients, usually after the development of shock and hypotension.​[40][62]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

short term
high

Aggressive treatment of the underlying disorder to remove the triggering factor is the most effective therapy in management of DIC.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

short term
high

A significant number of patients will require dialysis for up to 3 weeks and the serum creatinine will normalize within 4 to 6 weeks.

Hypotension, myoglobinuria, and hemoglobinuria can lead to acute renal failure.

Acute kidney injury

short term
high

Fasciotomy, surgical debridements, exploratory laparotomy, amputation, and hysterectomy may be needed in streptococcal infections.[40]

short term
low

There have been case reports of patients with Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome secondary to group A streptococcal TSS.[126]​[128]​​

long term
medium

Persistent symptoms including headache, memory loss, and poor concentration can occur in patients with staphylococcal disease.

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