toxic shock syndrome

noun

variants or less commonly toxic shock

: an acute disease that is characterized by fever, diarrhea, nausea, diffuse erythema, and shock, that is associated especially with the presence of a bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and that occurs especially in menstruating females using tampons

Examples of toxic shock syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How to protect yourself Tampon makers and the FDA recommend that tampons not be used at night or for longer than eight hours due to a greater risk of toxic shock syndrome, a deadly bacterial infection that can cause organ failure and death if not treated. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 July 2024

The rare infection, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), is caused by Group A strep bacteria, the same type that causes strep throat and scarlet fever. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 21 June 2024

Symptoms include fever and a red rash. June 19, 2024 at 5:18 a.m. EDT Listen 4 min Comment Save A record number of cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) in Japan this year has focused attention on the rare and potentially deadly bacterial infection. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 19 June 2024

As of June 2, Japan’s Health Ministry had recorded 977 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has a mortality rate of up to 30%. —Helen Regan, CNN, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

toxic shock syndrome

noun

: an acute and sometimes fatal disease that is characterized by fever, nausea, diarrhea, diffuse erythema, and shock, that is associated especially with the presence of a bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus (S. aureus), and that occurs especially in menstruating females using tampons

called also toxic shock