Precautions during fever in a child with past history of febrile seizures
Dr. Sharad Sharma
Apr 20, 2019
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Precautions during fever in a child with past history of febrile seizures
Febrile convulsion is described as a fit which occurs in kids when they suffer from high fever. It can happen with kids aging from 6months to 5 years. The fit lasts from a minute to 15 minute and may lead to drowsiness. A lot of fits only last for 2 to 3 minutes.
1 in 20 kids face the problem of febrile convulsion once. A febrile convulsion cannot be categorized as epilepsy and doesn’t lead to any brain damage. But there are no ways to predict it when can it happen.
Symptoms of febrile convulsion
1. Complete blackout
2. Jerking of legs and arms
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Foam in the mouth
5. Getting bluish or pale
6. Eye rolling and only the white area can be seen
7. It takes 15 minutes for the child to wake up
The signs and symptoms of febrile convulsion may frighten the parents. Thus, it is important to remember these points:
1. Child suffers no discomfort or pain.
2. It doesn’t lead to epilepsy and you don’t need to carry on any permanent medications.
3. A short time fit doesn’t cause any brain damage. Even if the fit is long, it doesn’t cause any harm.
4. You should definitely consult a doctor in case of emergency or any query related to it.
Causes of febrile convulsions
Febrile convulsion occurs when the body temperature rises suddenly. The fever may occur because of viral or bacterial infection. The developing brain of your child gets sensitive to fever. It may also happen if it runs in the families.
You can give medications like Midozalam to prevent febrile convulsion during fever. Even if your child suffers from cold but no fever, then also you should take precautionary steps. If the fever temperature goes above 100.4ºF or 38ºC, then you should seek immediate help of a physician and find out the right medication to treat the fever.
The right treatment of fever
Fever is common in kids with history of febrile convulsion, but it is harmless. If your child has fever, then these are the treatment.
1. Do not overdress them or keep them in a too hot room
2. Make them drink plenty of water. Do it in small quantities.
3. Provide them with liquid paracetamol if your child is experiencing any pain.
4. However, paracetamol doesn’t fight against febrile convulsions.
If your child experiences a fit, then suggestions are mentioned below:
1. Keep calm and do not panic.
2. Ensure your child is secure by keeping him on the floor. Remove any object which may harm your child.
3. Do not force anything in the mouth of your child.
4. Do not shake your child.
5. Do not restrain him/ her
6. After the convulsion has stopped, roll your child sideways. It is called the recovery position. It he/ she has food in mouth, turn their head sideways but do not try to remove it.
7. Note timing of the fit start and stop.
8. Get your kid check by the doctor after the fit stops.
9. In case of emergency, call an ambulance immediately.
If your child has fever, then make sure you treat the fever before he/ she starts to experience fits. It is important to get immediate medication for the fever from your nearest hospital.
Points to remember:
1. A febrile convulsion is a fit which occurs when your child suffers from a high fever.
2. It is not epilepsy and doesn’t last for a long time. It doesn’t cause any harm to the child.
3. If the fit occurs during the fever of your child, then try to lower down the temperature of your child.
4. You can also use precautionary actions to avoid the fit from happening.
5. If the fit lasts for more than 5 minutes call for help immediately.
6. You can always avoid the fit from occurring in fever by taking medication for the fit along with fever medications.
7. Fits are common in fever and they do not have any short term or long term impact on the body.
8. Make sure you speak about it to your physician.
9. If your child has any kind of allergy, then it is important that you speak about it to the physician first.
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