A febrile seizure is a "convulsion" that occurs with a fever. Most children who have febrile seizures will outgrow them by four to five years of age. Having a febrile seizure does not mean that your child has brain damage. There is a chance, however, that your child may have another seizure when he or she has a fever.

What Do I Do When My Child Is Sick (to prevent this)?

• Give Tylenol (acetaminophen) in the correct dose for your child's age. It should be given every 4 hours while the temperature is 101 F (38 C) or above.

Dose for Tylenol

• Don't bundle up or overdress your child. The body loses heat through the skin and if you bundle him/her up, the excess heat cannot escape.
• Sponge your child with lukewarm water or put him/her in a shallow tub containing 2-3 inches of water and drip water over the body. Do not use alcohol or cold water to bring your child's fever down. If your child begins shivering and shaking, stop sponging and remove him/her from the bath water.
• While your child has a fever, give plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (dryness, not drinking or urinating much).
• Give medications as prescribed by your doctor.

What Should I Do If My Child Has Another Seizure?

• Stay Calm!
• Do not put anything in your child's mouth.
• Place your child on his/her side to help drain saliva from the mouth.
  Loosen clothing.
• Don't try to hold your child still. Move objects away from your child so he/she does not get hurt.
• Support your child's head with a pillow or soft object.

Call an ambulance if:

• The seizure lasts longer than five (5) minutes;
• The child has difficulty breathing;
• Your child looks blue.

If the seizure has stopped before five (5) minutes, call your doctor or bring your child to the Emergency Department for further instructions and a physical exam. Your child may be sleepy after the seizure and needs to be checked by a doctor.