A systemic inflammatory response to a variety of clinical insults, characterized by two or more of the following conditions: (1) fever >38 degrees C or hypothermia 90 beat/minute; (3) tachypnea >24 breaths/minute; (4) leukocytosis >12,000 cells/cubic mm or 10% immature forms. While usually related to infection, SIRS can also be associated with noninfectious insults such as TRAUMA; burns; or pancreatitis. If infection is involved, a patient with SIRS is said to have sepsis.