Febrile Seizure In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A febrile seizure or convulsion is caused by a high fever. During a seizure the electrical activity in the brain is not normal. The brain seems to act as if it is having an electrical storm during the seizure. Febrile seizures are the most common kind of seizure and are usually not harmful. Seizures are frightening to see and to have. A seizure usually does not cause brain damage, and may not be as serious as it looks. A febrile seizure may last 1 to 10 minutes.
  
  
• Children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years are more likely to have a febrile seizure. Some children who have had a febrile seizure may have another seizure with a high fever. The risk of having another febrile seizure decreases after your child is 3 years old.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given for fever every 4 to 6 hours. These are over-the-counter medicines which can be bought at drug or grocery stores. Read the instructions on the box to give your child the correct amount. Call your caregiver if you have questions about how much medicine to give, or if your child is vomiting (throwing up) the medicine.
    
    
  • Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
    
    
  • Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
    
    
  • Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
    
    
  • If your child is taking antibiotics, give them as ordered until they are all gone, even if he feels better.
  
  

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a sore throat.
  
  
• Your child is tugging his ears or has an earache.
  
  
• Your child still has a fever 3 days after the febrile seizure, and you have been giving him fever medicine.
  
  
• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's medicine or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has another seizure or is hurt during a seizure.
  
  
• Your child is vomiting, has a headache, or has a stiff neck.
  
  
• Your child seems confused, or is hard to wake up.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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