Stages of Hypothermia

There are three stages of hypothermia as the body's core temperature begins to decline:

• Mild hypothermia: body temperature between 98-95°F
• Moderate hypothermia: body temperature between 95-90°F
• Severe hypothermia: body temperature less than 90°F

Hypothermia can also be classified as primary, which is due to cold exposure, or secondary, which is related to predisposing health-related conditions like illness, injury, intoxication, or age.

Hypothermia is a severe medical condition that requires immediate attention. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, and the victim is unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia extremely dangerous because the victim may not realize what is happening and will not be able to do anything about it. If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to complete failure of the heart and respiratory system, causing death. If you suspect that someone you work with has hypothermia, move the person out of the cold and seek medical assistance immediately.

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