toxic shock

/ˌtɑksɪk ʃɑk/
IPA guide

Definitions of toxic shock
  1. noun
    syndrome resulting from a serious acute (sometimes fatal) infection associated with the presence of staphylococcus; characterized by fever and diarrhea and nausea and diffuse erythema and shock; occurs especially in menstruating women using highly absorbent tampons
    synonyms: TSS, toxic shock syndrome
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    type of:
    syndrome
    a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
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