Does febrile seizures cause fever?

A febrile seizure is a seizure linked with a raised body temperature in a young child. The temperature may rise before the seizure is noticed, or the seizure may be the first sign that the child is becoming unwell. Viral infections are frequent triggers, although other illnesses can also cause fever. A fever can continue after the seizure has stopped, so check the child’s temperature and observe their breathing and responsiveness.

Febrile seizures can look frightening, but they do not automatically mean epilepsy. Fever has many possible causes, and having a fever alone does not show that a child will have a febrile seizure.

Place the child on a safe surface, turn them onto their side if possible, and move nearby objects away. Do not restrain their movements and do not put food, drink, medicine, or anything else in their mouth. Note when the seizure starts. Once it ends, keep the child on their side, stay with them, and seek medical advice about the fever and its cause.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, breathing is difficult, the child does not wake normally, the movements affect only one side, or another seizure follows soon afterwards. Urgent assessment is also needed for a stiff neck, a purple or unusual rash, severe drowsiness, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration. A first seizure should be medically assessed even when it stops quickly.

Ask what may have caused the fever, how to measure and record the child’s temperature, what seizure first aid is appropriate, and which warning signs should prompt emergency help. You can also ask whether the child needs a follow-up examination after this episode.