In medicine, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is an inflammatory state of the whole body (the "system") without a proven source of infection. It is a serious medical condition.

Definition of SIRS
SIRS can be diagnosed when two or more of the following are present[1][2][3][4]:

Heart rate > 90 beats per minute
Body temperature < 36 or > 38°C
Tachypnea (high respiratory rate) > 20 breaths per minute or, on blood gas, a PaCO2 < 4.3 kPa (32 mm Hg)
White blood cell count < 4000 cells/mm3 or > 12000 cells/mm3 (< 4 x 109 or > 12 x 109 cells/L), or the presence of greater than 10% immature neutrophils.

[edit] Difference between SIRS and sepsis
SIRS with a confirmed infection,[4] proven through a positive blood culture or tissue sample positive for pathogenic organisms,[5] is called sepsis.

Simply stated:

SIRS + proof of infection = sepsis [1][2]

[edit] Complications of SIRS
SIRS can result in the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.


[edit] Causes of SIRS
Severe trauma
Surgery, complication of
Burns
Acute pancreatitis
Immunodeficiency (such as AIDS[6])

[edit] Relation to cytokine storm
SIRS can be considered to be a subset of cytokine storm, a general term (not commonly used in clinical medicine) for cytokine dysregulation.

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