Fever fits: what to know and do

During a seizure, a child may stiffen, jerk, become unresponsive, or briefly change breathing or colour. Fever can trigger this response, commonly during an infection, but a seizure can have other causes. The appearance of the event cannot confirm the cause. Record what happened, how long it lasted, the temperature, recent illness, medicines, and recovery. A first seizure needs professional assessment even if the child appears well afterwards.

Place the child on a safe surface, remove nearby objects, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing, and turn them onto their side when possible. Stay with them and note the start time. Do not restrain the movements, put anything in the mouth, give food or drink, or try to cool them with cold water. Afterward, allow quiet recovery and seek medical guidance about the fever’s source.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than expected, repeats without recovery, affects breathing, follows an injury, occurs in water, or the child does not wake normally. Urgent assessment is also needed for a stiff neck, severe headache, unusual weakness, a non-blanching rash, serious dehydration, or a very unwell appearance. Do not drive if the child remains unresponsive or breathing is abnormal.

Ask what caused the fever, whether tests or observation are needed, how to manage future fevers, and what emergency plan your household should follow. Explain the event in sequence rather than relying on the word fit alone.