Very high temperatures (>105°F, or 40.6°C) are usually due to neurologic thermodysregulations (i.e.,
central fever). These include heat stroke, cerebrovascular accidents, or major anoxic brain injury
following a cardiac arrest. Malignant hyperthermia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome are other important
causes of very high fevers of central origin, often raising temperature >106°F (or 41.2°C). Fevers of this
degree can be due (but often not) to an infectious process like gram-negative sepsis. The exception is a
CNS infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
central fever). These include heat stroke, cerebrovascular accidents, or major anoxic brain injury
following a cardiac arrest. Malignant hyperthermia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome are other important
causes of very high fevers of central origin, often raising temperature >106°F (or 41.2°C). Fevers of this
degree can be due (but often not) to an infectious process like gram-negative sepsis. The exception is a
CNS infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis.