The signs and symptoms of hypothermia are divided roughly by the severity of the hypothermia. There isn’t a universal definition of the categories of severity, but most healthcare providers use mild, moderate, and severe, defined by body temperature and associated signs.
Cold exposure can come on slowly, affecting someone before he or she realizes there’s a problem. If you’re not looking for the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, it can be easy to miss until the problem has become significant.
Suspicion of hypothermia is almost as important as recognizing the signs and symptoms. It’s just as important to recognize the conditions under which hypothermia can happen and pay close attention to the people exposed to those conditions, including yourself.
