toxic shock syndrome

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a rapidly developing, sometimes fatal infection characterized by sudden onset of fever, gastrointestinal upsets, a sunburnlike rash, and a drop in blood pressure: caused by a Staphylococcus aureus toxin and occurring especially in menstruating women using high-absorbency tampons. TSS

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toxic shock syndrome British  

noun

1. a potentially fatal condition, characterized by fever, stomachache, a painful rash, and a drop in blood pressure, that is caused by staphylococcal blood poisoning. In women it is most commonly caused by a retained tampon during menstruation

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toxic shock syndrome Scientific  

/ tŏk′sĭk /

1. An acute infection characterized by high fever, a sunburnlike rash, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed in severe cases by shock, that is caused by a toxin-producing strain of the common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It occurs chiefly among menstruating women who use tampons.

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Etymology

Origin of toxic shock syndrome

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has asked local clinicians to promptly report cases of Group A Streptococcus, including cases of necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2022

Necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing pneumonia and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome are some of the infections caused by iGAS.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2022

She said she was told Skyla was suffering from toxic shock syndrome.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2021

I remember the swelling panic as I read the Tampax insert about toxic shock syndrome.

From Slate • Aug. 6, 2021

We know now that menstrual toxic shock syndrome happens to about one per 100,000 women of reproductive age per year.

From Salon • Aug. 27, 2019