What to know about a febrile seizure

During a febrile seizure, a child may become unresponsive, stiffen, jerk on both sides, roll the eyes, or breathe irregularly. Sleepiness or confusion can follow. The event is linked with a feverish illness, but the height of the temperature does not reliably predict whether it will occur.

A seizure with fever still needs medical evaluation to confirm the pattern and look for the illness causing the fever. Meningitis can present with fever and seizures, particularly when there is unusual drowsiness, neck stiffness, severe headache, persistent vomiting, or a non-fading rash; these signs demand emergency care.

Place the child on a safe floor or low surface, protect the head with something soft, and move hard objects away. Note when the seizure starts. Loosen tight clothing around the neck and, when possible, turn the child onto the side so saliva can drain.

Do not restrain the movements, put anything in the mouth, or give food, drink, or medicine until the child is fully awake. After movement stops, check breathing and remain nearby. Fever medicine can improve comfort after recovery but does not treat an active seizure.

Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure lasting more than five minutes, repeated seizures without normal recovery, movement limited to one side, breathing difficulty, blue or grey colour, serious injury, or failure to wake appropriately afterward. Begin resuscitation if the child is not breathing once the seizure has stopped and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Urgent assessment is also needed when a stiff neck, non-fading rash, marked lethargy, or persistent vomiting accompanies the fever. Even after a brief episode with full recovery, contact a healthcare professional so the child and the fever’s cause can be assessed.

Share the child’s age, fever symptoms, seizure duration, body parts involved, colour change, and recovery pattern. Ask what to do if another event happens, whether rescue medicine is indicated, and which features would change the diagnosis or urgency.