hyperpyrexia

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In medicine, hyperpyrexia is an excessive and unusual elevation of set body temperature greater than or equal to 41 °C (105.8 °F). It is an extremely high fever. Such a high temperature is considered a medical emergency as it may indicate a serious underlying condition such as sepsis or Kawasaki syndrome.^[1]

Hyperpyrexia differs from hyperthermia in that in hyperpyrexia the body's temperature regulation mechanism sets the body temperature above normal temperature, then generates heat to achieve this temperature, while in hyperthermia the body temperature rises above its set point.

Causes

Infections

Infections are the primary cause of hyperpyrexia and it may follow almost any infectious disease. It is commonly associated with roseola, rubeola and enteroviral infections.^[2]

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia occurs from a number of causes including heatstroke, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, malignant hyperthermia.

Stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine can aggravate the effects of environmental heat exposure or can cause an elevated temperature by themselves such as the drug PMA which was the cause of a 115 °F (46.1 °C) fever ^[3] idiosyncratic drug reactions

Serotonin syndrome, caused by combining two or more different serotonin agonists, such as antidepressants, stimulants (prescribed or street drugs), migraine medications, or common cold medicines (including decongestants, antihistamines, and dextromethorphan)

Endocrine disorders

Endocrine disorders such as a thyroid storm in hyperthyroidism.

Autoimmune disorders

It may be associated with Kawasaki syndrome.

References

External links

• Hyperpyrexia at GPnotebook