A febrile seizure is a convulsion triggered by a sudden change in body temperature, usually caused by a fever. Witnessing one can be frightening, but the reassuring news is that febrile seizures are generally not harmful, don’t cause brain damage, and don’t increase your child’s risk of epilepsy.
They’re also more common than many parents realise: around 1 in 30 children will have one, most often between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. Most children who have a febrile seizure will only ever have one.
Signs of a febrile seizure
During a febrile seizure, you may see:
- Stiff muscles or jerking movements
- Loss of consciousness
- A blue or red tint to the face
- A fever
The seizure usually lasts a few minutes. Once it stops, your child will regain consciousness but may seem tired, irritable, or lethargic for a while afterward.
What to do during a febrile seizure
You can’t stop the seizure, but you can keep your child safe while it runs its course. Here’s what to do:
- Stay calm.
- Place them on a soft surface, a bed or carpet, on their back, with the area clear of any objects.
- Time the seizure, or at least get a rough estimate of how long it lasts. If you can, record it on your phone, this genuinely helps doctors assess what happened.
And just as importantly, what not to do:
- Don’t restrain your child during the seizure.
- Never put anything in their mouth.
- Don’t put them in a bath or shower to try to lower their temperature.
When to call an ambulance
Your child should always be seen by a medical professional after a febrile seizure. But some situations need an ambulance straight away. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if:
- It’s your child’s first febrile seizure
- The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- They don’t wake up after the seizure
- They look very unwell when the seizure stops
- At any point you become concerned, for any reason
If the seizure lasted less than 5 minutes and your child seemed well beforehand, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible to find the cause. If it lasted less than 5 minutes but they seemed very unwell before it, take them straight to hospital or call an ambulance.
The key things to remember
You can’t prevent a febrile seizure, and they’re not harmful in the way they look. Stay calm, keep your child safe on a soft surface, don’t restrain them or put anything in their mouth, and call an ambulance if it’s their first one, lasts over 5 minutes, or you’re worried.
Understanding what’s happening, and what to do, takes a frightening moment and makes it manageable. Our Baby & Child First Aid course covers febrile seizures and the other emergencies parents worry about most, explained simply by a paramedic.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the guidance of a qualified health professional. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.