Hypothermia-related deaths -- Virginia, November 1996-April 1997.
Hypothermia is defined as a central or core body temperature of < or =95 F (< or =35 C) and is a medical emergency. Persons with hypothermia are at high risk for death. Although hypothermia-related deaths are common during winter months in states characterized by cold winters (e.g., Alaska and North Dakota) and with mountainous or desert terrain (e.g., Arizona and New Mexico), hypothermia and associated deaths also occur in states with milder climates. For example, during November 1996-April 1997, the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Virginia identified 20 deaths caused by hypothermia; of these, 11 (55%) were among men and decedents ranged in age from 22 to 86 years (mean: 63 years). This report describes selected cases of hypothermia-related deaths in Virginia during November 1996-April 1997 and summarizes hypothermia-related deaths in the United States during 1979-1994.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology