Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a medical condition characterized by an immune system response to an infection or injury that is systemic, or affects the whole body. It is the body’s general response to a stimulus, and is caused by the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators from immune cells. Symptoms of SIRS include fever, tachycardia (a rapid heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), leukocytosis (an increase in white blood cells), as well as a decrease in oxygen saturation (a measure of oxygen in the blood). SIRS is an important factor in the diagnosis of many serious illnesses, such as sepsis and organ failure, and is a major predictor of mortality in patients with these conditions. Treatment of SIRS is usually supportive, and may include antibiotics, respiratory support, and other therapies depending on the underlying cause.
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