How to Handle a Febrile Seizures?
“Knowing the whys and hows of illnesses, especially the ones that are medical emergencies can prevent complications, and save lives.”
What are Febrile Seizures?

Febrile Seizures in Children
A seizure that occurs in a child due to fever is a febrile seizure. This type of seizure affects children from the age of 6 months, up to 5 years. In most cases, febrile seizures do not have a lasting effect on health.
Can any Fever cause a Febrile Seizure?
Any fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit/ 38 Degree Celsius can cause a febrile seizure. In most cases, the seizure appears on the first day of illness, or when the temperature rises. Fever due to any infection can result in a febrile seizure, including all viral and bacterial infections.
What makes a kid prone to getting a Febrile Seizure?
Febrile seizures are most common in toddlers from 12-18 months of age. There is no specific reason why one child may get a febrile seizure and the other may not. However, children who have had it once are more prone to having it later. Also, if a child has had a febrile seizure at a younger age (less than a year), then the risk of having more febrile seizures is little more.
Does Febrile Seizure Result in Permanent Health Consequences?
Febrile seizures are typically benign events that occur in young children, during episodes of fever. While alarming for parents, these seizures are generally self-limited and do not lead to long-term health issues. Most children who experience febrile seizures will not develop epilepsy or have any lasting neurological effects. The overall prognosis is favorable. Routine febrile seizures do not affect cognitive development, behavior, or learning in the long term.
If there is family history of epilepsy or prolonged febrile seizures the risk of having seizures in future is more. To understand the effect of these seizures in the long term it is important to know the types of febrile seizures.
Signs and Symptoms of Febrile Seizures

signs and symptoms of a febrile seizures
- Simple Febrile Seizures
A simple febrile seizure lasts for less than 15 minutes and is not associated with long-term neurological problems. This type of seizure does not recur within 24 hours and occurs as an isolated event. Another feature of simple seizure is that this affects both sides of the body and is generalized.
- Complex Febrile Seizures
If the febrile seizure lasts for longer than 15 minutes and/or affects only one part of the body, and recurs again within 24 hours then it is complex. Such seizures need careful assessment.
During a Febrile Seizure, as the body temperature rises the child presents with the following symptoms:
-Loss of consciousness
-Involuntary movements: A child may become stiff, shake, or have jerks
-Child becomes unresponsive
-Rolling of eyes
-Clenching of teeth
-Abnormal breathing
-Involuntary peeing
The child may be sleepy, irritable, and confused after the seizure subsides.
When should a parent visit the doctor?
Any first-time febrile seizures need emergency attention. In case a child is experiencing symptoms of febrile seizure for the first time, they should be taken to the hospital at the earliest. One should also visit the doctor if:
-The seizure has lasted for more than five minutes and is not slowing down
-If the child has difficulty in breathing
-If the child has been sleeping for more than one hour after the seizure has stopped
-If the child has symptoms of complex seizure (repeated seizure in 24 hours/ seizure affecting one part of the body)
– If the child has any other associated symptoms like vomiting
What should a parent do at the time of Febrile Seizure?
When at home, parents and caretakers should stay calm and keep their children safe. Any first-time seizure needs immediate medical attention, and for a child with a history of febrile seizures the following should be done:
- Stay calm: Though one may find it difficult to stay calm at such a moment, a caretaker can help the child best with a calm mind. Awareness about febrile seizures is important to help one stay calm.
- Protect the Child from Injury: Gently place the child on the floor (to prevent them from falling), and remove all sharp objects around them as sudden jerks can cause injuries. Protect the head of the child with your hands or something soft.
- Prevent choking hazards: Since children lose consciousness and may tend to choke on the fluids in their mouths, they should be positioned safely to prevent choking. Turning the child to their left side prevents the fluids from entering the lungs and helps maintain an open airway.
- Keep track of time: Since longer seizures are complex and require attention, parents should ensure to track time. In case the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, one should seek medical help.
- Do not try to hold the child: Since the movements in seizure are involuntary parents should not try to restrict them, or control them. The child should be put in a safe place and position and monitored.
- Do not put anything in the child’s mouth: Parents are strictly discouraged from putting anything in the child’s mouth at the time of seizure. This could cause injuries and increase the choking hazard which could be life-threatening.
In case the child is known to have febrile seizures, then the doctor may prescribe some home medication for them as well. Such medication has to be used only on prescription and as per the given instructions.
Is Febrile Seizure Preventable?
The answer is both yes and no. Some prophylactic medications can be given to prevent recurrences but they are not always effective. Nevertheless in situations where the medical facilities are poor, recurrent prolonged seizures and risk factors in the childlike developmental delay; they can be prescribed intermittent or continuous prophylaxis medications.
It can be frightening to witness a febrile seizure in your child. However, such a seizure is unlikely to harm the child in the long term. Parents should thus stay calm, prevent any possible damage at the time of seizure, and know when to seek medical assistance for the best health of their child.
FAQs for Febrile Seizures in Children: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
A febrile seizure is a convulsion triggered by a fever, typically occurring in children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Febrile seizures are most common in children between 12 to 18 months old.
Yes, any fever above 100.4°F (38°C) can potentially trigger a febrile seizure.
Most febrile seizures are harmless and do not cause long-term health issues.
Symptoms include loss of consciousness, shaking or stiffening, eye-rolling, and abnormal breathing.
Stay calm, move the child to a safe area, turn them onto their left side, and avoid placing anything in their mouth.
Seek immediate help if the seizure lasts over 5 minutes, affects only one part of the body, or repeats within 24 hours.
Most children who experience febrile seizures do not develop epilepsy or long-term neurological problems.
While some medications may help prevent recurrences, febrile seizures are not always preventable.
It is normal for children to feel sleepy or confused afterward, but if this lasts over an hour, consult a doctor.

Author: Dr. Ramya Bandi
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist