MedGen

Respiratory distress is objectively observable as the physical or emotional consequences from the experience of dyspnea. The physical presentation of respiratory distress is generally referred to as labored breathing, while the sensation of respiratory distress is called shortness of breath or dyspnea. [from HPO]

A very severe form of acute pulmonary failure secondary to capillary permeability impairment. The symptoms include dyspnea, hypotension and multivisceral failure. The disease is characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia due to increased alveolar-capillary permeability. The severity depends on the degree of alveolar epithelial injury, with a mortality rate of 30-50%. [from ORDO]