Arginine vasopressin (AVP), better known as anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) is an anti-diuretic and vasoconstrictive hormone being released from the posterior pituitary upon various stimuli, such as changes in plasma osmolality and hypovolemia.[2] Additional stimuli include various stressors such as hypoxia, acidosis and severe infections.[3] Besides well-known effects on hemodynamics and osmoregulation, vasopressin constitutes a surrogate for the individuals’ stress level. This evidence concerns the gene AVP and infection.