Six 12-Year Olds Who Are Convinced They Have Toxic Shock Syndrome Right Now

Christine doesn’t have her period. She barely even has boobs! Yesterday, all her friends were talking about tampons, and she felt left out. So, last night, she put one in, just to see what it was like. It was in for less than a minute, and not even all the way in, but that was all she needed to believe that she has toxic shock syndrome. She called her friends to tell them and they were like, “Wait, I thought you didn’t have your period yet?” and she was like, “You don’t have to have your period to get toxic shock syndrome.” Technically true! You can get it from various wounds. Christine doesn’t have it, though.