What it means
A seizure in a child, usually between 6 months and 5 years old, that happens with a fever, often on the first day of an illness. Most are generalized, with stiffening and jerking of the whole body, and last less than 15 minutes. They are frightening to see but usually cause no lasting harm, and most children grow out of them. Fever medicines make the child comfortable but have not been shown to prevent another seizure.
For the nurse
During a seizure, keep the child safe, turn them on the side, put nothing in the mouth and time it. Teach parents to call emergency services if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or the child has trouble breathing.
At a glance
| Also written | febrile seizures |
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Related terms
seizure
A sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that changes movement, feeling, behavior or awareness.
fever
A body temperature higher than normal, usually 38 °C (100.4 °F) or above.
seizure precautions
Safety steps set up for a client at risk of seizures, to prevent injury if one happens.