WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A febrile (FEB-rile) seizure (SEE-zhur) is a type of
convulsion. It causes your child's face or body to tighten up
and jerk or twist. It is the most common type of seizure, and
may last from 1 to 10 minutes. Children between 6 months and 2
years are more likely to have a febrile seizure. The seizures
do not cause brain damage. Most children will not have another
one.
Causes
A temperature of about 104
degrees F (40 degrees C) or more. The fever may be the result
of an infection.
Signs/Symptoms
Jerking or twitching of the arms,
legs or face. When a seizure starts, the child may pass out. He
or she may not be aware of the jerking. The child may urinate
or have a bowel movement without knowing it, or may throw up.
After the seizure, the child may seem irritable, confused, or
sleepy.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
If your child develops a fever, give a sponge bath to
try to reduce the fever. The bath should be done in a warm
room with warm water. Using a damp washcloth, gently rub
the entire body. The child should be damp but not dripping
wet. Do not use a fan or ice or cold water, and do not
chill the child.
-
During a convulsion, protect the child from injury by
moving dangerous objects away. Do not try to hold the child
down. Do not put anything in his or her
mouth.
-
When the seizure has passed, give the child
acetaminophen for fever control.
Do not give your child aspirin. Your doctor will
tell you whether you need other medicines to prevent more
seizures.
-
If the child has another febrile seizure, write down
details for the doctor, including when it began, whether
both sides of the body were jerking, how long the
convulsion lasted, the length of time between the rise in
temperature and the start of the seizure, and whether the
child slept afterward.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
The child still has a fever 3 days after the febrile
seizure, or has an uncontrolled fever of any
duration.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
Your child has another
convulsion.
-
Your child is injured during a
convulsion.
-
Your child develops vomiting, headache, or a stiff
neck.
Return to top
|
Email this page
Printer friendly
Bookmark this page
