synthetic. adj. 1. (Chemistry) (of a substance or material) made artificially by chemical reaction. 2. not genuine; insincere: synthetic compassion. 3. (Linguistics) denoting languages, such as Latin, whose morphology is characterized by synthesis. Compare polysynthetic, agglutinative 2, analytic 3.
The majority (80%) of patients with group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome have symptoms of a soft-tissue infection (pain, redness, warmth, swelling) in an area just below the skin or in a muscle.
An infection caused by strep or staph bacteria can lead to toxic shock syndrome. These bacteria are common and usually don't cause problems. But in rare cases, the toxins enter the bloodstream and cause a severe immune reaction. This reaction causes the symptoms of TSS. Toxic shock syndrome caused by strep most often occurs after childbirth, the flu (influenza), chickenpox, surgery, minor skin cuts or wounds, or injuries that cause bruising but may not break the skin.