Febrile Seizure

A febrile seizure is a seizure that occurs in relation to a fever. If the temperature goes up too quickly or down too quickly a seizure can happen. They will usually occur in children from 6 months until 5 years. The seizure will only last for a few minutes, and does not mean your child will have brain damage or develop epilepsy. If someone in the family has had a febrile seizure others within that family will be at greater risk. Also, having a febrile seizure may put you at risk for having another one. However, most children will outgrow this by age 5.

If your child is having a seizure, the Mayo clinic recommends to:

• Place your child on his or her side, somewhere where he or she won't fall.
• Stay close to watch and comfort your child.
• Remove any hard or sharp objects near your child.
• Loosen any tight or restrictive clothing.
• Don't restrain your child or interfere with your child's movements.
• Don't attempt to put anything in your child's mouth.

Giving your child medication for the fever might help the fever, but not necessarily prevent the seizure.

Personal note:
My daughter had a febrile seizure while she was sick with RSV. It was the scariest thing ever. She was just limp at first and the seizing started after about 30 seconds or so (time was difficult to tell). I did call for an ambulance. The seizure happened after I applied a cold rag to her head. I was not instructed to not do this, but I will tell you that I will never do it again. I was told however to never put your child in a cold bath or ice bath. I wouldn't have ever done this anyway, but apparently you're not supposed to just in case you are wondering.

For more info you can go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/febrile-seizure/DS00346