A new article published in StatPearls discussed that hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature greater than 400C. Conditions that can cause hyperthermia are:

• Fever – manifests as immunologic reaction to the infection
• Sepsis – for instance, in toxic ingestions and withdrawal states
• Reactions to certain medications – such as in neuroleptic malignant syndrome

The authors stated that the most common disease that can be treated by decreasing core body temperature is heat-related illness and heat stroke. Heat-related illness is a spectrum of disease that occurs when the bodys thermoregulatory system fails. Cooling – the most critical intervention, may also be performed as an adjunct to the usual therapies for numerous conditions precipitating secondary hyperthermia. 

In the emergency department, some patients may require systemic cooling to prevent neurological damage. Nevertheless, an interprofessional team should be employed, including – a neurologist, internist, emergency department physician and ICU nurses. Cooling techniques applied in the emergency room are easy, simple and requires little training. Rapidly identifying patients who would benefit from this intervention is the key to effective management.

Source: In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459311/