What is Hyperthermia?
'''Hyperthermia''' is a high [[body temperature]]. It happens when a person is not able to [[Thermoregulation|control their body temperature]]. This can happen for many reasons, like very hot weather, [[fever]], and some [[Medication|medicines]] or [[illegal drugs]]. Doctors [[wikt: define|define]] hyperthermia as a body temperature that is over 101 degrees [[Fahrenheit]] (equal to 38.3 degrees [[Celsius]]).<ref name=Mayohs /> This is higher than the normal healthy [[human body]] temperature, which is normally around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). When a person gets hyperthermia, they can have ''heat-related injuries'', where the high body temperature hurts the body. There are three forms of heat-related injuries caused by hyperthermia: '''heat cramps''' (the least serious), '''heat exhaustion''', and '''heat stroke''' (the most serious). The opposite of hyperthermia is [[hypothermia]]. == Causes of hyperthermia == [[File:Ecstasy monogram.jpg|thumb|right|Drugs like [[MDMA|Ecstasy]] can cause severe hyperthermia]] All types of hyperthermia can be caused by the same things. Some common causes are:<ref name=ortho>{{cite web |url=http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00319 |title=Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 2009 |website=www.orthoinfo.aaos.org |publisher=American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons |accessdate=January 1, 2016 |quote=}}</ref> * [[Weather]]: Weather that is very hot, sunny, and [[humid]] * Activity: Exercising or working a lot, especially if it is hot out * [[Old age|Older people]] and [[Baby|infants]] can get hyperthermia even if they are resting inside, if the weather outside is hot and [[Humidity|humid]], and they are not getting enough cool air. This can happen because very old and very young people have trouble controlling their body temperatures. * Illegal drugs, especially [[MDMA|ecstasy]] and [[amphetamine]]s, can make the body's temperature get very hot, very quickly<ref name=nhs>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhs.uk/Co