Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Danger Signs of Hypothermia

With prolonged exposure to the cold your body will lose heat faster than it can be produced. This can cause hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain. The victim is unable to think clearly or move well and may not realize what is happening and die.

Hypothermia most often occurs at extremely cold temperatures, but cool temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous if a person is chilled from rain, sweat or submersion in cold water. Those at highest risk are elderly people without enough food, clothing or heat, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms and people who remain outdoors for long periods, such as the homeless, hikers and hunters. Symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, low energy, exhaustion, drowsiness, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, bright red and cold skin. If body temperature is below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical help immediately. If medical care is not available immediately, take these steps:

• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. Remove any wet clothing.
• Warm the chest, neck, head, and groin first. Use an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets.
• Give warm beverages to conscious victims, but avoid alcoholic drinks.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. CPR should be provided and continued while the person is being warmed until the victim responds or medical aid is available. In some cases even a person that seemed dead has been successfully revived. For more information, call 810-257-3612.