SIRS stands for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
What does SIRS mean?
a whole-body inflammatory state, often an early warning of sepsis
SIRS stands for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, a widespread inflammatory reaction of the body to a serious insult, which may be infection, trauma, burns, or inflammation. It is defined by meeting two or more of four criteria: temperature above 38 C or below 36 C, heart rate above 90 beats per minute, respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute, and white blood cell count that is abnormally high or low. When SIRS is caused by a confirmed or suspected infection, it has historically been used to identify sepsis, although newer sepsis definitions now favor the SOFA and qSOFA scores.
When is SIRS used?
SIRS is documented in emergency, critical care, and general medical notes, often as part of early sepsis screening.
Frequently asked questions
What does SIRS stand for?
SIRS stands for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, a whole-body inflammatory state.
What are the SIRS criteria?
Temperature above 38 C or below 36 C, heart rate above 90, respiratory rate above 20, and an abnormally high or low white blood cell count. Two or more meet the definition.
How is SIRS related to sepsis?
When SIRS is due to infection it has been used to identify sepsis, though newer definitions now prefer the SOFA and qSOFA scores.
Can SIRS occur without infection?
Yes. SIRS can be triggered by trauma, burns, pancreatitis, and other non-infectious causes.