Toxicosis: meaning, definitions and examples

Toxicosis is a medical term used to describe the state of being poisoned with toxins. It is typically used in clinical or scientific contexts, especially when describing the effects of toxins on the body over a prolonged period.

• The patient was diagnosed with toxicosis due to prolonged exposure to pesticides
• Veterinary doctors often encounter toxicosis in animals exposed to contaminated feed

Poisoning is generally used to describe the harmful effects that occur when a person or animal ingests, inhales, or comes into contact with a poisonous substance. It is a straightforward term that is commonly understood and used in both everyday language and medical contexts.

• Food poisoning is often caused by bacteria in contaminated food
• The emergency room was busy treating several cases of carbon monoxide poisoning

Intoxication is often used to describe the state of being under the influence of substances such as alcohol or drugs. It can also refer to the harmful effects of ingestion of toxic substances. This term can be used in everyday language as well as in medical or legal contexts.

• He showed clear signs of alcohol intoxication after the party
• The doctor treated her for intoxication following the accidental ingestion of cleaning chemicals