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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
The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Doctors quickly concluded that the teacher had developed toxic shock syndrome from a tampon.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Henson died of toxic shock syndrome due to a bacterial infection.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024
We've all been traumatized by tales of toxic shock syndrome caused by leaving a tampon in for too long.
—Gabrielle Kassel, Allure, 29 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1978, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of toxic shock syndrome was
in 1978
Dictionary Entries Near toxic shock syndrome
Cite this Entry
“Toxic shock syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxic%20shock%20syndrome. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on toxic shock syndrome
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toxic shock syndrome
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