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
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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 See all Example Sentences for toxic shock syndrome 

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 5 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

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