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The term Sepsis is frequently and colloquially used to describe "sick" patients; but accuracy requires understanding the specific criteria of Sepsis and its associated syndromes. Following are the defining criteria for SIRS and Sepsis:
SIRS
at least 2 of the following:
Temp >38C or <36C
Heart rate >90
RR> 20 or pCO2<32mm Hg
WBC>12,000, <4,000 or >10% bands
Sepsis:
Systemic response to infection, manifested by 2 or more SIRS criteria with a source of infection confirmed by culture or a clinical syndrome pathognomic for infection.
Severe Sepsis:
Sepsis associated with acute organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion or hypotension; including lactic acidosis, oliguria or altered mental status.
Septic Shock:
Sepsis-induced hypotension not responsive to fluid resuscitation.
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