Maura Higgins has previously revealed that she nearly died from toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after a tampon was stuck inside her for three months.

TSS is often ᴀssociated with tampon use in young women, but it can affect anyone of any age – including men and children – and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Appearing on Shopping with Keith Lemon in 2022, the former Love Island star, 33, – who is set to enter the I’m A Celebrity Jungle as a latecomer this week – detailed her ‘very bad experience’ in a bid to warn others of the risks.

She said at the time: ‘I did have a very bad experience. I’m not a doctor, I don’t know much about that [TSS], but I know you are not meant to leave a tampon inside for more than, I think it’s nine hours, I think that’s the max.

‘There was a tampon inside me for three months. When the doctor found it, it was stuck to my cervix. And I was so ill. I did not know what was going on…

Maura Higgins has previously revealed that she nearly died from toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after a tampon was stuck inside her for three months

In 2022, the former Love Island star, 33, – who is set to enter the I’m A Celebrity Jungle as a latecomer this week – detailed her ‘very bad experience’ in a bid to warn others of the risks

‘There were people that have died from that happening.

‘Young girls might not have noticed, like you go on a night out, what if you got really drunk and forgot, like, these things actually do happen, and people don’t speak about it.

‘I remember even being in school, I used to get my tampon out the bag, push it up my sleeve and then go to the toilet like that… thinking back, why was I doing that?

‘It’s nothing to be ashamed about, that’s why I think it’s an important topic isn’t it?’

‘I remember even being in school, I used to get my tampon out the bag, push it up my sleeve and then go to the toilet like that… thinking back, why was I doing that?

‘It’s nothing to be ashamed about, that’s why I think it’s an important topic isn’t it?’

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 release dangerous toxins.

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. 

She said: ‘There was a tampon inside me for three months. When the doctor found it, it was stuck to my cervix. And I was so ill. I did not know what was going on…’

She added on the show: ‘Young girls might not have noticed, like you go on a night out, what if you got really drunk and forgot, like, these things actually do happen, and people don’t speak about it’ 

Maura will make a later arrival in camp alongside Rev Richard Coles, 62 (right)

It comes as Maura defiantly declared she was single in a major slap in the face to her current love interest Pete Wicks as she prepared to enter the jungle on Tuesday.

It appears Pete’s reported ‘inability to commit’ to either Maura or his other rumoured love interest dance partner Jowita Przystal has led Maura to definitively state ‘I’m single’ when asked whether she was dating him.

The rebuff comes just days after Pete, 36, and Maura enjoyed a date night last week before she jetted off to Australia ahead of her entry into the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Thursday.

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She added: ‘I’m not [in a relationship with Mr Wicks]. I’ve been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I’m very much single. Everyone goes on dates.’

Last Monday the pair were seen attending a Ludovico Einaudi performance at the London Palladium and a month before were spotted kissing outside a restaurant in East London.

This came despite it being reported that the EsSєx lothario had been ‘growing close’ to his Polish dance partner, 30, and introduced her to his mum.

Maura had previously said of Pete: ‘I adore him, he’s an amazing person. Do you know what’s so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked.’

Maura also revealed to the Mail that she had not spoken to Pete about her upcoming three-week stint on the ITV show and addressing rumours of him flying out to Australia, she said: ‘I know nothing, he’s not said that to me anyway.’

It was revealed by the Mail that Pete was planning to make a trip Down Under if he was booted off Strictly early to support his best friend, Sam Thompson, who is presenting the ITV spin-off show, and Maura.

The Irish television personality will enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night as a late arrival alongside the Communards musician turned priest Reverend Richard Coles, joining her friend and former X-Factor judge, Tulisa Contostavlos, 36, and Coleen Rooney, 39.

It comes as Maura defiantly declared she was single in a major slap in the face to her current love interest Pete Wicks as she prepared to enter the jungle on Tuesday 

Asked who was flying out to Australia to meet her when she leaves the show, Maura said: ‘Some of my friends said they would but I don’t know, it’d be a nice surprise whoever’s there.’

Aligning herself with her future campmates Maura insisted she was ‘Team Coleen’ when it came to the sensational Wagatha Christie trial, in which Rebekah Vardy accused Wayne Rooney’s wife of defamation in 2022.

She said: ‘I’m excited to meet her [Coleen]. I would do the exact same as what she did. Put up something on my Instagram story and just have certain people view it to catch that person out. That is the way my brain would work.’

Throwing her support behind Coleen will undoubtedly annoy Rebekah, 42, who has been outspoken about her nemesis Wag’s appearance in the Jungle.

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 release dangerous toxins.

TSS’ prevalence is unclear but doctors have claimed it affects around one or two in every 100,000 women.

It has a mortality rate of between five and 15 per cent. And reoccurs in 30-to-40 per cent of cases.  

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

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. 

Treatment may involve antibiotics to fight the infection, oxygen to help with breathing, fluids to prevent dehydration and organ damage, and medication to control blood pressure.

Dialysis may also be needed if the kidneys stop functioning. 

In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove ᴅᴇᴀᴅ tissue. In rare incidences, it may be necessary to amputate the affected area. 

To prevent TSS, women should use tampons with the lowest absorbency for their flow, alternate between a tampon and a sanitary towel, and wash their hands before and after insertion.

Tampons should also be changed regularly, as directed on the packaging – usually every four to eight hours.