TSS

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

TSS
Stands forToxic shock syndrome
Meanings2
CategoriesMedical, Science & Engineering

TSS has two meanings. It stands for Toxic shock syndrome (infectious disease) or Total suspended solids (environmental).

Meanings of TSS at a glance

#TSS stands forContext
1Toxic shock syndromeMedical › Infectious Disease
2Total suspended solidsScience & Engineering › Environmental

1. Toxic shock syndrome

Medical · Infectious Disease Abbreviations

Rapidly progressive, life-threatening illness caused by toxins from Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus that act as superantigens. Features include high fever, low blood pressure, a sunburn-like rash and multiorgan failure, followed by peeling of the palms and soles.

Example: Tampon use, fever 40.1, BP 78/40, diffuse erythroderma: TSS, start vancomycin plus clindamycin.

TSS gained national attention in 1980 when US cases were linked to highly absorbent tampons, one brand of which was withdrawn. Nonmenstrual cases follow surgery, burns, wounds and nasal packing. Clindamycin is added because it suppresses toxin production. Streptococcal TSS often accompanies necrotizing fasciitis.

2. Total suspended solids

Science & Engineering · Environmental Abbreviations

Mass of particles suspended in water that can be trapped by a filter, including silt, clay, algae and organic debris, measured in milligrams per liter. TSS is a standard measure for wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff.

Example: Silt fences at the construction site keep TSS in runoff below the permit limit.

High TSS makes water cloudy, blocks sunlight, smothers fish spawning beds and carries attached pollutants such as phosphorus and metals. It is related to, but distinct from, turbidity, which measures cloudiness optically. Wastewater plants typically remove more than 85% of TSS.

More infectious disease abbreviations

  • SVR – Sustained virologic response
  • TB – Tuberculosis
  • Td – Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine
  • Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine
  • U=U – Undetectable equals untransmittable
  • VAERS – Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
  • VL – Viral load
  • VRE – Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →

More environmental abbreviations

  • SSP – Shared Socioeconomic Pathway
  • SST – Sea surface temperature
  • TDS – Total dissolved solids
  • TMDL – Total maximum daily load
  • UHI – Urban heat island
  • UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • VU – Vulnerable
  • WWTP – Wastewater treatment plant

See all 62 environmental abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.