Epilepsy triggered by fever: what to know

A high temperature may make seizures more likely in some children, but not every seizure with fever is epilepsy. Fever can reflect an infection, and the pattern of the seizure, the child’s age and development, recovery, and examination all matter. A seizure may involve stiffening, jerking, staring, reduced awareness, or unusual movements. The child may be sleepy or confused afterward.

Fever does not explain every event. Clinicians may need to consider illness affecting the brain, a metabolic problem, a medicine issue, or an unrelated seizure disorder.

Place the child on a safe surface, move nearby objects away, protect the head, and turn them onto their side if possible. Do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth. Time the event and observe breathing, colour, movements, and recovery. Do not give drinks or fever medicine during the seizure. Afterward, keep the child supervised and seek medical advice about the fever and event.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats before recovery, affects breathing, causes a serious injury, or the child remains difficult to wake. Urgent assessment is needed with a stiff neck, severe headache, a purple or non-blanching rash, persistent vomiting, marked drowsiness, or signs of dehydration. Arrange a GP Consultation after any first seizure with fever, even if recovery seems complete.

Ask what may have caused the fever, whether the seizure pattern needs further testing, how to manage future fevers, and which signs should prompt an ambulance. Record previous illnesses, medicines, vaccinations, temperature readings, and the event details.