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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffShivering is your body's automatic defense against cold temperature — an attempt to warm itself. Constant shivering is a key sign of hypothermia. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Shivering
- Clumsiness or lack of coordination
- Slurred speech or mumbling
- Stumbling
- Confusion or difficulty thinking
- Poor decision making, such as trying to remove warm clothes
- Drowsiness or very low energy
- Apathy, or lack of concern about one's condition
- Progressive loss of consciousness
- Weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
A person with hypothermia usually isn't aware of his or her condition, because the symptoms often begin gradually and because the confused thinking associated with hypothermia prevents self-awareness.
Hypothermia not related to the outdoors
Hypothermia isn't always the result of exposure to extremely cold outdoor temperatures. An older person may develop mild hypothermia after prolonged exposure to indoor temperatures that would be tolerable to a younger or healthier adult — for example, temperatures in a poorly heated home or in an air-conditioned home.
In such cases, mild hypothermia may result in vague symptoms, and the typical shivering may not be present at all. Symptoms of mild hypothermia not related to extreme cold exposure may include:
- Confusion
- Lack of coordination
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
Hypothermia in infants
Typical signs of hypothermia in an infant include:
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you see someone exhibiting signs of hypothermia or if you suspect a person has had unprotected or prolonged exposure to cold weather or water. If possible take the person inside, remove wet clothing and cover him or her in layers of blankets.
- Hypothermia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec21/ch319/ch319d.html. Accessed May 6, 2009.
- Ulrich AS, et al. Hypothermia and localized cold injuries. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2004;22:281.
- McCullough L, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia. American Family Physician. 2004;70:2325.
- Jurkovich GJ. Environmental cold-induced injury. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2007;87:247.
- Hypothermia: A cold weather hazard. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Extreme cold: A prevention guide to promote your personal health and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Winter safety tips. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/decwintertips.cfm. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Federal requirements and safety tips for recreational boats: Cold water survival. United States Coast Guard. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/saf_cold.htm. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Hypothermia and cold water. Canadian Red Cross. http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=15204&tid=024. Accessed May 8, 2009.
