Febrile Seizures

What is a febrile seizure?

A febrile seizure (also called a febrile fit) is when a child has a seizure because they have a high temperature. While it can look very scary, it's usually not dangerous and won't harm your child long-term.

These seizures most often happen in children between 6 months and 6 years old. They usually last 2 to 3 minutes, and it's rare for them to go on longer than 10 minutes.

What does a febrile seizure look like?

During a febrile seizure, your child may:

• Become stiff and shake or jerk
• Become unconscious
• Not respond when you talk to them
• Be sick or wet themselves
• Feel sleepy, grumpy or confused for up to an hour afterwards

When to get emergency help

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if your child:

• Has a seizure for the first time
• Has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
• Is having trouble breathing
• Has stiffness and shaking on only one side of their body
• Is much sleepier than usual for more than an hour after the seizure stops
• Has more than one seizure within 24 hours

Important: Don't drive to A&E yourself - ask someone else to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance. If your child is still having a seizure or is unconscious, call 999 straight away rather than trying to get to hospital.

What to do during a seizure

Do:

• Check the time when the seizure starts and ends
• Protect their head with your hands or something soft
• Move any dangerous objects away from them
• After the seizure ends, put your child in the recovery position
• Make sure there's nothing in their mouth or throat that could block their breathing

Don't:

• Try to move your child or hold them still
• Put anything in their mouth
• Try to cool them down by taking off their clothes or using cold water

What happens next?

After your child's first febrile seizure, they'll need to be checked at hospital. They might need to stay in for a short time.

Your child may need some tests, such as:

• Blood tests
• Urine (pee) test
• Sometimes a lumbar puncture (taking a small sample of fluid from the spine)

If an infection is causing the high temperature, your child may need medicine to treat it.

Can febrile seizures be prevented?

You can't prevent febrile seizures. They can happen when your child has an infection that causes a high temperature.

Are febrile seizures the same as epilepsy?

No, febrile seizures are not epilepsy. Children who have had febrile seizures do have a slightly higher chance of developing epilepsy later in life, but this is very rare.

When to speak to your GP

Always speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your child's health or if they've had a febrile seizure. Your GP can provide advice and reassurance about what to expect.

Most children who have febrile seizures grow out of them and go on to be perfectly healthy.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.