About this topic
A seizure is caused by the brain sending out abnormal electrical signals. These make the body shake, jerk, and twitch. A seizure may cause muscle tightness and fast movement that cannot be controlled. Febrile is another word for fever. A febrile seizure is one that happens because of a fever. ‚
Febrile seizures happen most often in children when they have a temperature over 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C). Febrile seizures are not the same as epilepsy. Febrile seizures often stop on their own. They most often end without more treatment and do not cause any other health problems. It is important to know that the seizure happened because of the fever. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Give your child drugs to lower fever as ordered by your doctor.
- If your child has another seizure:
- Stay calm.
- Time the seizure with your watch.
- Clear the area of furniture and sharp objects.
- Do not hold your child.
- Do not put anything in your childs mouth. It may damage teeth or you may get bitten. Turn your child on the side if throwing up happens.
- Stay with your child until feeling better. Reassure your child.
- Help your child recover. Allow your child to rest and sleep in a quiet place after the seizure.
- Call your child's doctor.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- The doctor may order special tests that look at the brain, like a CT scan, MRI, and EEG test.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower fever
- Fight an infection or virus
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may be sleepy after the seizure. It is OK if your child goes to sleep. Check on your child often. Your child should be able to go back to normal activities when feeling better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Your child could fall and get hurt while having a seizure.
- Your child could have another seizure.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Monitor and control your childs temperature whenever your child has fever. Give drugs for fever as ordered by the doctor. They may make your child more comfortable but they will not prevent another seizure. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Your child has another seizure from a fever
- Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- Your child does not wake up or changes behavior after a seizure
- Your child has neck stiffness or is having trouble staying awake.
- If the seizure is only on one side of the body or is only in one arm or leg.
- Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has another seizure.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child's seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or the seizure is only on one side of the body.
Where can I learn more?
Epilepsy Foundation ‚
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/parentsandcaregivers/parents/infants/febrileconvulsions.cfm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/febrile.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/febrile-convulsions/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚