Classification
| Temperature Classification | |
|---|---|
|
|
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| Hypothermia | <35.0 °C (95.0 °F) |
| Normal | 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) |
| Fever | >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) |
| Hyperthermia | >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) |
| Hyperpyrexia | >40.0–41.5 °C (104–106.7 °F) |
| Note: The difference between fever and hyperthermia is the mechanism. | |
Normal human body temperature in adults is 34.4–37.8 °C (94–100 °F). Sometimes a narrower range is stated, such as 36.5–37.5 °C (98–100 °F). Hypothermia is defined as any body temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). It is subdivided into four different degrees, mild 32–35 °C (90–95 °F); moderate, 28–32 °C (82–90 °F); severe, 20–28 °C (68–82 °F); and profound at less than 20 °C (68 °F). This is in contrast to hyperthermia and fever which are defined as a temperature of greater than 37.5 °C (99.5 °F)-38.3 °C (100.9 °F).
Other cold-related injuries that can either be present alone or in combination with hypothermia include:
- Chilblains are superficial ulcers of the skin that occur when a predisposed individual is repeatedly exposed to cold.
- Frostbite involves the freezing and destruction of tissue.
- Frostnip is a superficial cooling of tissues without cellular destruction.
- Trench foot or immersion foot is due to repetitive exposure to wet, non-freezing temperatures.
Read more about this topic: Hypothermia