Hyperthermia - Clinical Manual of Fever in Children

Abstract

#x203A; Hyperthermia is a peripherally (skin and muscle) mediated elevation of body temperature, which greatly differs from fever. Temperature is uncontrolled because the hypothalamic centre is not involved.› Hyperthermia, in contrast to fever, is uncommon, but it has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated body temperature.› Although hyperthermia and fever cannot usually be differentiated clinically on the basis of the height of temperature, a temperature above 42°C suggests hyperthermia. A normal temperature excludes fever but not hyperthermia.› Hyperthermia has different causes, symptoms and signs than fever. Its management is specific and is also different from that of fever, e.g. antipyretics are ineffective while physical methods are effective.› Drugs play a major role in causing hyperthermia. In contrast to fever hyperthermia can largely be prevented.› Hyperthermia has many causes of which malignant hyperthermia (prototype of increased heat production) and heat stroke (prototype of decreased heat production) are the most common and serious causes.