Hypothermia (low body temperature)

Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops below 35°C. Normal body temperature is 37°C. At this low level, less blood circulates around your body and its normal functions begin to slow down.

Hypothermia can happen indoors as well as outdoors.

It is a medical emergency, and it will get worse if it isn't treated. Mild hypothermia, though, can be treated safely and effectively with the right first aid.

Hypothermia can be mild or severe, depending on how low your body temperature has fallen.

The symptoms of hypothermia include:

• being unsteady on your feet
• slurred speech
• poor co-ordination
• confusion
• not responding as normal
• pale, cold and dry skin
• loss of consciousness
• slow or shallow breathing

Shivering is the body's normal reaction to being cold. If you're shivering and have no other symptoms, you should warm up. Shivering on its own is not hypothermia.

In severe hypothermia, you may stop shivering even though you feel very cold to touch.

A baby with hypothermia may:

• be cold to touch
• be floppy
• be unusually quiet and sleepy
• refuse to be fed

• you or someone else has signs of hypothermia

If you think someone has hypothermia, there are a few things you can do while you wait for help to arrive.

If the person is outdoors, try to move them inside. If you can't do that, get them somewhere sheltered as quickly as you can.

Keep them out of the wind and off the ground. For example, you could put a backpack underneath them.

Take off any wet clothes and put dry ones on the person. Once they're out of the wet things, wrap them in blankets, a sleeping bag or a dry towel, and make sure their head is covered.

Don't take off your own clothing to give to them. You need to stay warm too.

If the person is fully awake, give them a warm drink and some high energy food like chocolate.

Stay with them until help arrives, and keep talking to them so they stay awake.

If you're in a remote area and can't phone for help, don't go off to get help on your own. If you can, always go in a pair or group.

There are a few things you shouldn't do while you're waiting for help to arrive, because they could make hypothermia worse.

• don't rub their arms, legs, feet or hands
• don't use a hot bath or heat lamp to warm them up
• don't put heat directly on their skin (wrap a hot water bottle or heat pad in a jumper or blanket first)
• don't give them alcohol to drink

If you have hypothermia, you'll usually be treated in hospital. The doctors will keep a check on your heart rate, and you may be given oxygen to help you breathe. You may also be given warm fluids straight into a vein, which helps your body warm up.

If the hypothermia is severe, you may need treatment in intensive care.

Hypothermia can happen indoors as well as outdoors. You can get it if you:

• don't wear enough warm clothing in cold weather
• live in a cold house
• stay out in the cold too long
• have been in cold water
• have damp or wet clothes and get cold

A medical condition such as sepsis or an infection can also cause hypothermia. When that's the reason, you'll usually have other symptoms too.

Hypothermia can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk than others. They include:

• people who can't afford fuel and heating costs during winter
• older people, often because of medical conditions and because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature
• young children, who lose heat quickly and can't protect themselves in cold temperatures
• disabled people, often because of reduced mobility, sensory impairments or medical conditions
• people with long-term medical conditions, including thyroid, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
• people with mental health conditions
• pregnant women
• people who are sleeping rough

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent hypothermia.

Check the weather forecast for your area when you're planning to spend time outdoors. Check it again just before you leave, so you have the latest updates.

You should pack:

• extra clothing, including another jacket, hat and gloves
• a flask with a warm drink
• waterproof clothing
• high energy snacks
• a bivvy bag and group shelter, if you're going for a hike or a long walk.

When you're outdoors, you should:

• wear several layers of clothing
• check that children are warm enough
• take breaks to warm up
• try not to spend long periods in cold temperatures
• change into dry clothing as soon as possible if you get damp or wet

It's also important to keep warm indoors when the weather is cold.

Hypothermia can:

• increase the risk of blood clots, which leads to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes
• increase the risk of chest infections
• worsen breathing problems
• increase the risk of falls