Difference Between Fever and Hyperthermia
Fever and Hyperthermia Explained - Causes, Risks & First Aid
Hyperthermia and fever are both conditions characterised by increased body temperature. However, fever and hyperthermia are different in terms of clinical significance, causes and mechanisms. Understanding the distinctive facts between fever and hyperthermia is crucial for effective management and accurate diagnosis.
Read to learn the differences between fever and hyperthermia, including preventive measures.
What is the Difference between Fever and Hyperthermia?
The table below provides a detailed distinction between hyperthermia and fever:
| Factors | Fever | Hyperthermia |
| Body Temperature Regulation | During fever, body temperature typically rises to 38°C (100.4°F) to 41°C (105.8°F). | In this case, body temperature often exceeds 41°C (105.8°F) and can go above 42°C (107.6°F). |
| Causes | Fever is a symptom of a particular infection, such as a viral or bacterial infection, a gastrointestinal, urinary tract, or skin infection. Sometimes, it occurs as a reaction to autoimmune disorders, vaccinations and certain medicines. | Hyperthermia occurs due to an unregulated rise in body temperature due to external factors or failed heat regulation. |
| Underlying Mechanism | Fever involves either exogenous pyrogens or endogenous factors that cause hypothalamic stimulation and increase body temperature. | In cases of hyperthermia, body temperature increases due to an imbalance between exogenous heat loss, endogenous heat production and external factors, such as physical activity. |
| Symptoms | A person with a fever may have symptoms, like sweating, cold feelings, cough, low appetite, sleep and lack of energy. | Patients with hyperthermia may have heat rashes, like small bumps or pimples throughout the body, heat cramps and tightening of muscles in the belly, legs, arms, and dizziness, headache and fainting from heat exhaustion. |
| Clinical Complications | Fever is a reportable physical sign of infections or underlying conditions. It is not a serious health concern and can be managed with treatment when the infection passes. High fever (>40°C/104°F) or prolonged fever can indicate severe infection (e.g., sepsis) or neurological risks in children. | Hyperthermia requires prompt treatment to prevent serious complications, such as heat stroke, kidney failure or other problems, like bleeding and clotting. |
| Response to Antipyretics | Responds well to antipyretics like paracetamol or ibuprofen. | Does not respond to antipyretics and requires external cooling. |
What is Fever?
A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature that is typically brought on by an infection. The hypothalamus increases the body's temperature as part of a natural immunological response to help fight off bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
How to Treat or Prevent Fever?
To prevent or treat fever, you can consider the following tips:
- Take fever-reducing medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Get sufficient rest to help the body recover.
- Maintain good hygiene and stay updated on vaccinations to prevent infections that commonly cause fever.
What is hyperthermia?
A severe condition known as hyperthermia occurs when the body overheats as a result of either inadequate thermoregulation or exposure to external heat. The body's temperature regulation mechanism does not reset during a fever; instead, it is unable to remove heat, which may result in organ damage or heat stroke.
How to Treat or Prevent Hyperthermia?
Apart from medical attention for heat stroke symptoms, here are some tips to treat moderate and mild hyperthermia:
- Drinking electrolyte water
- Take a cool bath.
- Wear breathable and loose-fitting clothes.
- Place ice compresses under the groin and arms.
- Taking a wet cloth to the forehead
Although increased body temperature is a common characteristic of both fever and hyperthermia, their origins, mechanisms, and treatments are very different. Hyperthermia is the outcome of ineffective heat disposal, whereas fever is a controlled immunological response to illness.
Understanding these distinctions is essential for fast and efficient treatment because, if left untreated, hyperthermia can result in potentially fatal consequences.
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