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.
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening illness triggered by certain bacteria (group A streptococcal and Staphylococcus aureus). In toxic shock syndrome, toxins (poisons) produced by the bacteria cause a severe drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and organ failure.