Cold Temperature Exposure: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Do you have or does someone else have symptoms of low body temperature (early hypothermia), but you have not taken a temperature?

See significance of symptoms of low body temperature if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you think your baby has a low body temperature?

Yes

Do you think an older adult has a low body temperature?

Yes

Do you think you have a low body temperature after 1 hour of rewarming treatment?

Yes

Do you think you have a low body temperature and you have changes in your mental state, such as inability to focus your attention, after 1 hour of rewarming treatment?

Yes

Do you think you have a low body temperature and you have severe shivering after 1 hour of rewarming treatment?

Yes

Do you think you have a low body temperature and you have cold, pale, white skin or patches of pink-purple or blue-gray skin after 1 hour of rewarming treatment?

Yes

Do you think you have a low body temperature and you have stiff or numb arms or legs after 1 hour of rewarming treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	July 05, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer