Sepsis and Septic Shock

1. Give the definition of the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) and distinguish it from sepsis.

SIRS = infectious or noninfectious etiology.

Sepsis = the systemic response to microbial invasion. If infection is suspected or proven, a patient with SIRS is said to have sepsis.

      Severe sepsis occurs when counterregulatory control mechanisms are overwhelmed and dysfunction to major organs supervenes.
      Septic Shock is characterized by hypotension as well as organ dysfunction.

             

---

Created on ... November 11, 2004