Hypothermia
Overview
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (normal body temperature is around 37C). It's a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypothermia include: shiveringpale, cold and dry skin – skin and lips may turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)slurred speechslow breathingtiredness or confusion A baby with hypothermia may be: cold to touchfloppyunusually quiet and sleepy and may refuse to feed
Causes
Hypothermia happens when you get too cold and your body temperature drops below 35C. You can get hypothermia if you: do not wear enough clothes in cold weatherstay out in the cold too longfall into cold waterhave wet clothes and get coldlive in a cold house – older people living alone are particularly at risk
Treatment
If you have hypothermia, you’ll usually be treated in hospital. Your heart rate will be monitored and you may be given oxygen to help you breathe. You may also be given warm fluids straight into a vein to help your body warm up. Treatment inintensive caremay be needed if you have severe hypothermia.