Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially deadly toxin-mediated disease in which quick diagnosis is imperative for treatment and prognosis. This is a case report of a 21-year-old woman admitted with high fever, confusion, petechial rash and hypotension. During catherisation a tampon was found, and from a vaginal swab Staphylococcus aureus was grown. The patient was hospitalised for eight days, two of which were at the intensive care unit for norepinephrine infusion for hypotension. She was successfully treated with the antibiotics dicloxacillin and clindamycin.