Seizure medications are not usually prescribed to prevent recurrence of simple febrile seizures because they have been associated with behavior and learning problems later in childhood. You can help prevent febrile seizures from recurring during the same illness by giving your child the recommended dose of fever medication regularly every 4 to 6 hours. Don't overdress him. Do not place a child in cold water or rub his skin with alcohol in an attempt to reduce the fever. Complex febrile seizures are those that last longer than 15 minutes, require seizure medication to stop, or recur very frequently.
Febrile seizures make parents and grandparents very anxious.
Simple febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, however, and most children do quite well. Your pediatrician can provide more information to help you understand febrile seizures and to prevent recurrences. Dr. Carole A. Stashwick is a pediatrician and an associate professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School, where she also director of the pediatric residency program. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.