SIRS is an inflammatory clinical response syndrome that may occur in the presence or absence of infection. The condition is considered sepsis when an infection causes a systemic (affecting the whole body) inflammatory response.
Sepsis is a complication caused by the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. The most common cause of sepsis is a bacterial infection occurring somewhere in the body and moving into the bloodstream. The risk of sepsis is increased in those having:
- A weakened immune system
- Certain chronic disorders
- Artificial joint or heart valve
- Certain heart valve abnormalities
Sepsis has been reported to be the most common cause of death in the noncoronary intensive care unit. Note that sepsis (the immune system's response) is usually the cause of death, not the infection. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize sepsis as quickly as possible. Delays in identifying sepsis limit the effectiveness of treatment.
