Fever-triggered seizure: what to know

Fever can accompany an infection, while a seizure may cause stiffening, jerking, staring, unresponsiveness or temporary confusion. A seizure during fever is not automatically explained by the temperature; clinicians may need to consider illnesses such as meningitis, low blood sugar, medication or substance exposure, and other neurological causes.

The person may be sleepy after the event. Note what happened before, during and after it, including breathing, movement, awareness and recovery.

Move hard or sharp objects away, cushion the head, and place the person on their side when possible. Loosen tight clothing around the neck and time the event. Do not restrain them, put anything in the mouth, or give food, drink or medicine until fully alert. Stay with them and check breathing after the movements stop.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts several minutes, repeats without recovery, causes breathing difficulty or injury, happens in water, or the person does not wake normally. Emergency assessment is also needed for a stiff neck, severe headache, light sensitivity, purple rash, persistent vomiting, unusual confusion or marked weakness. Any first seizure with fever needs urgent clinical advice.

Ask what may have triggered the fever, whether tests are needed, how to respond if another seizure occurs, and whether a rescue medicine is appropriate.