Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a direct effect of the cold on health. When a person is exposed to the cold for too long, his or her body may be incapable of keeping the proper temperature to function well. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s oral temperature drops below 35°C.

When hypothermic, the human body can no longer function normally. Hypothermia can lead to serious health risks and even death.

Risk of hypothermia varies according to the temperature felt, meaning the wind chill index. Weather forecasters use the term “wind chill index” to indicate the temperature felt on skin exposed to the cold. In general, the temperature felt is colder than the actual temperature.

The severity of hypothermia depends on the body’s temperature. Hypothermia can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms differ depending on the severity of hypothermia. 

What to do if you have symptoms

Mild to moderate hypothermia

If you have symptoms of mild to moderate hypothermia, contact Info-Santé 811.

While waiting for Info-Santé instructions:

• Shelter yourself from the cold without making any sudden movements.
• Gently remove damp or wet clothing.
• Cover yourself with blankets and begin by warming up your head, neck, trunk and then groin area (upper thighs).
• If you have hot water bottles or electric blankets, place them in your armpits, in the groin area and on your stomach. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• If possible, take small sips of a hot and sugary drink that does not contain alcohol.
• Do not massage your skin.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol to warm yourself up. On the contrary, smoking or drinking alcohol can lower your body temperature even more.

Severe hypothermia

Severe hypothermia requires immediate medical attention. Anyone with symptoms of severe hypothermia should be taken to emergency or 9-1-1 should be called immediately. While waiting for assistance, you can take the following measures to help the person:

• Shelter him or her from the cold without making any sudden movements.
• Gently remove his or her damp or wet clothing.
• Cover him or her with blankets.
• Do not use electric blankets, hot water bottles or direct heat to warm the person up.
• Do not massage his or her skin.
• If the person is conscious, give him or her small sips of a hot and sugary drink that does not contain alcohol.
• Do not allow the person to smoke or drink alcohol; neither will warm him or her up. On the contrary, smoking or drinking alcohol can lower his or her body temperature even more.

It is always necessary to see a doctor or another health-care professional to treat hypothermia, whether it’s mild, moderate or severe.

Severe hypothermia can be fatal. 

You can take certain precautions to prevent experiencing the effects of cold temperatures. You will find advice on how to protect yourself and your loved ones during periods of extreme cold on the Preventing the harmful effects of cold temperatures page.

Certain people are more at risk of suffering from the effects of extreme cold:

• Newborns and infants
• People aged 65 and over
• People with reduced mobility
• People with reduced autonomy
• People with chronic illnesses, such as:
  • Cardiac or respiratory failure
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Malnutrition
  • Certain neurological disorders
• People with mental illness
• Homeless people
• People who work outside

Some medications make people more sensitive to the cold. People who take medication for chronic illnesses or other diseases should seek information on the subject from a health-care professional.