Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (synonyms: systemic inflammatory response syndrome; ICD-10 R65.-: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS]) is the generalized response of the body to an external influence. Causes can be toxins from microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites), severe injuries or burns. In this case, there is an excessive release of inflammatory cytokines (mediator explosion), the effects of which, however, can severely damage the human organism itself. This systemic inflammatory reaction takes place equally throughout the body (regardless of where it was triggered).
At the 2016 Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Meeting in Orlando, sepsis was first defined as “life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated body response to infection.”
Septic shock has since been defined as a subset of sepsis: the circulatory response and cellular and metabolic changes are so profoundly altered that the risk of mortality (death) is significantly increased.
A systemic inflammatory response syndrome can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential Diagnoses”).
Course and prognosis: Individual organs may be damaged or lose function due to the systemic inflammatory response. It is a life-threatening condition.
