Elevation of body temperature above 41ºC due to increased heat production or decreased heat loss, without the body's thermoregulatory system being able to correct it.
The most common causes are: exposure to high temperatures, physical exertion in hot and humid environments, intoxication by drugs or toxins, secondary to infection, endocrine metabolism disorders or central nervous system disorders (trauma, ischaemia, haemorrhage).
It is manifested by increased sweating, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, muscle contractions, headache, nausea, vomiting, incontinence, convulsions and altered level of consciousness. It can be detected by taking vital signs (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure), but the cause must be investigated by clinical questioning and sometimes blood tests.
Treatment is aimed at lowering body temperature and ensuring proper hydration. Cold physical measures (baths, wet cloths), administration of antipyretics, and hydration by oral or intravenous intake can be applied. In specific cases, muscle relaxants, neuroleptics or drugs that maintain blood pressure may be used to treat complications.
If your temperature is above 40°C and does not respond to antipyretics and/or physical measures, you should go to the emergency department for assessment.
- C. A. Dinarello, R. Porat. Alteraciones de la temperatura corporal. Fiebre e hipertermia. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen I. Decimonovena edición. 123:126.
- R. Carrillo, G. Lázaro, J. Arturo. Hipertermia maligna. Conceptos actuales. Rev Mex Ane. 2013. 36(3): 185-192
- UpToDate [Internet]. Waltham. 2017. Malignant hyperthermia: Clinical diagnosis and management of acute crisis; [citado el 18 de julio de 2017]. Disponible en: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/malignant-hyperthermia-clinical-diagnosis-and-management-of-acute-crisis?source=search_result&search=hipertermia+severa&selectedTitle=1~150
