Which of the following is a symptom of hypothermia?

Shivering is a classic symptom of hypothermia and serves as a vital bodily response to cold temperatures. When the body temperature begins to drop, the hypothalamus triggers involuntary muscle contractions, which results in shivering. This process generates heat to help maintain a stable core temperature. It can be one of the first signs that a person is becoming hypothermic, indicating that the body is struggling to keep warm.

Understanding the other symptoms also highlights the importance of recognizing hypothermia early on. While feelings of extreme pain and numbness can occur in cold conditions, they are typically associated with more severe cold injuries, like frostbite, rather than the initial stages of hypothermia. Swelling is not related to cold injuries; instead, it might indicate inflammation or other medical concerns but does not correlate with changes in body temperature due to exposure to cold. Therefore, recognizing shivering as a symptom is crucial in identifying and responding appropriately to hypothermia.