The key difference between hyperthermia and pyrexia is that hyperthermia is a sudden and uncontrolled increase in body temperature due to a failure in the thermoregulatory mechanism of the body, while pyrexia is an increase in the hypothalamic temperature set point as an adaptive response of the body to a pathological state.
One of the most commonly noted abnormal findings in medicine is increased temperature. Hyperthermia and pyrexia are two terms commonly used in relation to increased body temperature.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hyperthermia
3. What is Pyrexia
4. Similarities – Hyperthermia and Pyrexia
5. Hyperthermia vs Pyrexia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hyperthermia vs Pyrexia
What is Hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia is an abnormally high temperature. It is also known as overheating. Hyperthermia is the opposite of hypothermia. It usually happens when the body absorbs more heat than it releases. The normal body temperature of a human is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Any body temperature above 99 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be a hyperthermia condition. Sweating is a common cooling mechanism in the human body. However, sweating is not sufficient to keep the body temperature at a normal temperature. When this takes place, the body temperature tends to rise. Physical exertion in very hot, humid weather is the most common cause of hyperthermia. Symptoms of hyperthermia may include blurred vision, dizziness, fast breathing or heart rate, fatigue, headache, syncope, low blood pressure, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, weakness, anhidrosis, balance problems, delirium, hot, flushed, pale skin, seizures, shock, or coma.
Hyperthermia is generally diagnosed by performing a physical examination and taking body temperature. Furthermore, the treatment and management options for hyperthermia may include stopping physical activity and resting in a cool, well-ventilated environment, removing heavy or tight clothing, drinking slightly salty beverages to replace lost electrolytes, applying a cool compress to the skin, keeping irritated skin dry, applying a powder or ointment to reduce discomfort from a rash, gently stretching muscles that cramp, intravenous fluid replacement, mist with water and blowing air across the bodies, applying ice packs to neck, groin and armpits and avoid giving any medications such as aspirin and acetaminophen.
What is Pyrexia?
Pyrexia is a condition due to an increase in the hypothalamic temperature set point as an adaptive response of the body to a pathological state. It is also known as fever. It is a natural defensive mechanism of the body to fight against infections. Pyrexia may have infectious and non-infectious causes. Infectious causes include lower respiratory tract infections like bronchitis, bacterial lung infections like tuberculosis, complicated urinary tract infections, bone infections like osteomyelitis, bacterial cardiac tissue infections like endocarditis, and viral infections like HIV and cytomegalovirus. Non-infectious causes include neurological conditions like hemorrhages, malignant conditions like leukemia, reactions to drugs, bowel or bladder problems, and reactions to blood transfusions. The signs and symptoms of pyrexia are shivering, chills, headaches, generalized body pain, weakness, irritability, dehydration, loss of appetite, joint pains, and sweating.
Moreover, pyrexia can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, urine test, and chest X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options for pyrexia include medications (antipyretic drugs), antibiotics, antiviral drugs, taking adequate rest, and adequate fluid along with regular supplements.
What are the Similarities Between Hyperthermia and Pyrexia?
- Hyperthermia and pyrexia are two terms commonly used in relation to increased body temperature.
- In both conditions, the body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Both conditions can be due to non-infectious causes.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination.
- They are treated by taking adequate rest and specific medicines.
What is the Difference Between Hyperthermia and Pyrexia?
Hyperthermia is a sudden and uncontrolled increase in body temperature due to a failure of the thermoregulatory mechanism of the body, while pyrexia is an increase in the hypothalamic temperature set point as an adaptive response of the body to a pathological state. Thus, this is the key difference between hyperthermia and pyrexia. Furthermore, in hyperthermia, the hypothalamus is not involved, while in pyrexia, the hypothalamus is involved.
The below infographic presents the differences between hyperthermia and pyrexia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Hyperthermia vs Pyrexia
Hyperthermia and pyrexia are two medical terms that are commonly used in relation to increased normal body temperature (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Hyperthermia is a sudden and uncontrolled increase in body temperature due to a failure of the thermoregulatory mechanism of the body, while pyrexia is an increase in the hypothalamic temperature set point as an adaptive response of the body to a pathological state. So, this is the key difference between hyperthermia and pyrexia.
Reference:
1. “Hyperthermia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Recovery.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Pyrexia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Apollo Hospitals Blog, Health Library, 20 June 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fever-conceptual” By Philip Newton (User:Pne) – drawn by me with Inkscape (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Thermometer-fever-number-hand” (CC0) via Pixabay