“Reverse fever” refers to an abnormally low body temperature, medically known as hypothermia. While fever indicates an elevated body temperature, hypothermia highlights the opposite physiological state, where the body struggles to maintain its normal warmth. Understanding this phenomenon is important, as it can indicate significant physiological distress.
Understanding “Reverse Fever”
“Reverse fever” is a common expression for a body temperature below the typical range, not a formal medical term. Normal human body temperature averages 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), though it fluctuates. Hypothermia is clinically defined when the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).
This condition arises when the body loses heat faster than it produces it, leading to a dangerously low internal temperature. Hypothermia represents a failure of the body’s thermoregulation system. It is a serious condition that can impair organ function and become life-threatening if untreated.
Underlying Causes of Low Body Temperature
Low body temperature can result from environmental exposure or underlying medical conditions. Prolonged exposure to cold environments, especially with inadequate or wet clothing, is a common cause. Immersion in cold water also causes rapid heat loss, as water conducts heat faster than air.
Medical conditions can impair the body’s temperature regulation. These include hypothyroidism, which slows metabolism, and diabetes, particularly during hypoglycemia. Adrenal insufficiency and severe infections like sepsis can also disrupt thermoregulation, sometimes leading to low temperatures rather than fever.
Certain medications, such as sedatives, antipsychotics, some antidepressants, and beta-blockers, can induce hypothermia. Substance use, like alcohol and opioid consumption, impairs judgment and the body’s ability to conserve heat. Neurological conditions, such as stroke or spinal cord injuries, can interfere with the brain’s temperature regulation. Additionally, extreme age makes individuals more susceptible; infants have undeveloped thermoregulation, and the elderly may have reduced metabolic heat production and less insulating body fat.
Recognizing Symptoms of Low Body Temperature
Recognizing hypothermia symptoms is important for timely intervention. In mild cases (90-95°F or 32-35°C), symptoms include shivering, pale and cool skin, numbness in the extremities, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, fatigue, and slight confusion or clumsiness. Shivering is an initial, visible sign that the body is attempting to generate heat.
As hypothermia progresses to a moderate stage (82-90°F or 28-32°C), shivering may stop, indicating the body’s heat-generating mechanisms are failing. Other symptoms include slurred speech, increased confusion, drowsiness, and decreased coordination. Pulse and breathing may slow, and blood pressure can drop.
In severe hypothermia (below 82°F or 28°C), the condition becomes life-threatening. Symptoms include unresponsiveness, a very weak or absent pulse, and extremely slow or absent breathing. Muscles may become rigid, and the individual might appear unconscious. The heart is highly vulnerable to irregular rhythms, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Low Body Temperature
Prompt medical attention is crucial when hypothermia is suspected, as it is a medical emergency. If a person exhibits symptoms, particularly confusion, unresponsiveness, or if shivering has stopped, contact emergency services immediately. This is especially important for vulnerable populations, such as infants and the elderly, who are more susceptible to severe effects.
While waiting for medical help, take first aid steps to prevent further heat loss and begin warming the individual. Gently move the person to a warm, dry place or insulate them from cold ground. Remove any wet clothing, replacing it with warm, dry blankets or towels, and cover their head. If conscious, offer warm, non-alcoholic, sweet drinks, avoiding alcohol or caffeine; do not rub or massage the person. Persistent or unexplained low body temperature always warrants a professional medical evaluation to identify underlying causes.