What is hypothermia?

4 May 2021

It is when body temperature drops significantly and the body cannot counteract this drop by producing heat, which constitutes a dangerous situation that must be considered a health emergency.

The normal temperature level is between 36 and 37ºC, but when a hypothermic episode appears, a decrease greater than 35ºC is manifested, causing irregularities in the cardiovascular and nervous systems, which if not treated can trigger cardiac and respiratory arrest, with a fatal outcome.

The most frequent causes of hypothermia are overexposure to cold or immersion in cold water, so the indicated therapy focuses on raising body temperature through various techniques.

Signs and symptoms Hypothermia

Weakness and slow pulse.
Lack of coordination.
Lack of strength.
Mental disorder.
Memory problems.
Fainting.
Intense chill.
Difficulty speaking.
Breathing problems.
Somnolescence.

Potential risks:

Drug addiction.
Alcoholism.
Some pathologies such as:
- Arthritis.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Diabetes.
- Malnutrition.
- Anorexia.
Mental disorders.
Drugs such as sedatives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
Weakness and fatigue.
Being a child or older adult.

Diagnosis and treatment Hypothermia

Diagnosing hypothermia is usually simple due to the symptoms and the situation that caused the event.

Once the diagnosis is established, the treatment to be followed will depend on the patient’s condition and the level of hypothermia, but the techniques used to restore adequate body temperature are as follows:

Warming up through the intake of hot liquids and warm blankets.
Heat the blood using hemodialysis machines.
Intravenous fluid supply.
Raise the respiratory tract temperature.
Administration of saline solution through catheters to warm specific areas.

In severe hypothermic episodes, it is essential to go to the ABC Medical Center Emergency Room to receive immediate medical attention and prevent possible severe complications that can put your life at risk.

Related centers and departments Hypothermia

Emergency Room
Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

cdc.gov
msdmanuals.com
mayoclinic.org
medlineplus.gov
healthline.com
medigraphic.com
Martínez-Hernández A, Barrón-San PR, Garza-Morales SJ, et al. Hipotermia terapéutica en recién nacidos con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica. Rev Mex Pediatr. 2020;87(5):176-182. doi:10.35366/97171.
De la Cajiga LA, Aguirre ICP, Álvarez RGE, et al. Hipotermia postquirúrgica: incidencia en el Hospital Ángeles Lomas. Acta Med. 2020;18(1):111-115. doi:10.35366/92018.
Ortega-Mariscal VG, Muñoz-Cuevas JH, Wing-Reyna CE. Hipotermia perioperatoria: su impacto en temblor postoperatorio. Revisión sistemática y metanálisis. Rev Mex Anest. 2018;41(4):245-257.
Guillén-Garcia BG, Pérez-Saad H. Hipotermia como alternativa terapéutica. 16 de abril. 2017;56(264):64-72.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is hypothermia?

Signs and symptoms Hypothermia

Diagnosis and treatment Hypothermia

Related centers and departments Hypothermia

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Hypothermia