Short answer
A febrile seizure is a fit caused by a high temperature, usually in children aged 6 months to 6 years. It is frightening but rarely harmful, and usually lasts 2 to 3 minutes. Keep your child safe, do not put anything in their mouth, note the time, and turn them on their side when it stops. A first fit, or one lasting more than 5 minutes, needs emergency care.
- Published
- Published by
- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
What it looks like
- The child becomes stiff, twitches, shakes or jerks
- They may lose consciousness and not respond when you speak
- They may vomit or pass urine
- Afterwards they may be sleepy, irritable or confused for up to an hour
What to do during a fit
- Stay calm and note the time the fit starts and ends.
- Protect the head with your hands or something soft, and move dangerous objects away.
- Do not hold your child down or try to move them.
- Do not put anything in the mouth: no spoon, fingers, water or medicine.
- When the fit stops, turn your child on their side (the recovery position) and check that nothing is blocking the mouth.
- Do not try to cool your child by undressing them or sponging with cold water.
Old remedies, such as putting keys or an iron object in the hand, do not stop a fit.
Get emergency help if
- It is your child’s first fit
- The fit lasts more than 5 minutes
- Your child has difficulty breathing
- The stiffness or twitching affects only one side of the body
- Your child stays more sleepy than usual for more than an hour afterwards
- There is more than one fit in 24 hours
Call +91 90368 52311. If your child is still fitting or unconscious, call for help rather than carrying them; let someone else drive if you travel.
In hospital
After a first febrile seizure, a child should be checked in hospital and may need to stay for a short time. The doctor looks for the cause of the fever and may order blood and urine tests, and sometimes a lumbar puncture (a sample of fluid from the spine) to rule out meningitis. If an infection is found, it is treated.
Will it happen again? Is it epilepsy?
Febrile seizures cannot be prevented, and some children have more than one. They are not the same as epilepsy. Children who have had one have a slightly higher chance of epilepsy later, but this is rare.
Very rarely, a child keeps having febrile seizures. The doctor may then prescribe a medicine to give during a fit and show you how to use it.
Common questions
Can fever medicine prevent a febrile seizure?
No. Paracetamol can make your child more comfortable, but febrile seizures cannot be prevented by bringing the temperature down.
Does a febrile seizure cause brain damage?
A typical febrile seizure is unlikely to harm your child or cause long-term effects. Still, every first fit must be checked by a doctor to find its cause.
Read next
Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.