It is when there is distress or failure to respiratory without mention of heart failure.

It is a severe form of lung injury

It may follow injury, trauma, or drug use.

Risks factors include:
   •    Shock
   •    Infection
   •    Near-drowning
   •    Aspiration of foreign material
   •    Burns

Inflammation, damage, decreased functionality occurs in individuals with ARDS

Symptoms
   -    Difficulty breathing
   -    Rapid breathing
   -    Cough
   -    Fatigue
   -    Cynosis

Treatment
•        Identifying underlying condition
•        Oxygen
•        Tracheal intubations
•        Mechanical ventilation

Death associated with ARDS is relatively high at around 30%.

It increases dramatically with an infection that has gone into the blood – 90%

Secondary complications can be alarming