A CAERWENT family who lost their daughter to Toxic Shock Syndrome have launched a 13 day awareness campaign they hope to take nationwide.

Natasha Scott-Falber was 14-years-old when she died on February 14, 2013, after suffering from TSS caused by her first use of a tampon. The family have been working with Public Health Wales who have been providing information to school nurses on the symptoms and how to approach the subject with pupils.

The family are now launching a 13 day awareness campaign starting on the second anniversary of the teenager’s death. The 5k fun run will kick start the campaign on February 14, 2015, and will culminate in a gala concert on February 26 which will become National Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day and would have been Tasha's 17th birthday.

Family and friends from around the UK will be taking part in fundraisers as part of the campaign and handing out symptom cards which are currently in the process of being finalised.

Mandy Scott, 52, Natasha’s mother, said: “It was really hard on the 14th of February this year but we got through it. If this had happened to any of her friends Tasha would have wanted to do something.

“She would have been up for all the different events. Our hope is that everyone in the UK knows about TSS -we don’t want anyone to have to go through what we’ve been through.”

Daniel, Tasha’s 19-year-old brother is working on producing a campaign video which explains the symptoms of TSS which is a rare condition which kills two to three people in the UK every year and affects around 40 people.

Mrs Scott said: “It’s really important that not only girls know the symptoms but their boyfriends, brothers and fathers do as well. Tasha was very poorly, when you’re in that situation you don’t think about all the symptoms – someone else needs to put two and two together.

“I was amazed at how many people don’t know what TSS is. If everyone knows the symptoms then they can go and see their GP - there shouldn’t be an embarrassment about this.”

The family know of five other families in the UK who have been affected by TSS and hope to create wristbands in violet which was Tasha’s favourite colour to spread the word.

According to Toxic Shock Syndrome Information Service (TSSIS), around half the reported cases of TSS are associated with women using tampons but it can also be caused by infections following burns, boils, insect bites or following surgery. The condition can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

The symptoms of TSS normally begin with a sudden high fever and other symptoms then develop. Further symptoms can include vomiting, a sunburn-like skin rash, diarrhoea, fainting or feeling faint, muscle aches, dizziness and confusion.

If anyone would like to get involved with the campaign they can contact mandyscott@talktalk.net