Parameter

Value

Body temperature

·    <36˚C (97˚F); or

·    >38˚C (100˚F)

Heart rate

·    >90 beats per minute

Respiratory rate

·    >20 breaths per minute; or

·    Blood gas PaCO₂ < 32 mm Hg (4.3 kPa)

WBC count

·    <4000 cells/mm³ (4 × 10⁹ cells/L); or

·    >12,000 cells/mm³ (12 × 10⁹ cells/L); or

·    >10% band forms (immature WBCs)

Infection

·    Clinically suspected; or

·    Proven (by stain, culture, PCR)