Simple febrile seizures are brief convulsions that usually appear without warning and last less than 15 minutes, after which the child will seem fairly normal. Simple febrile seizures occur between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, more often in boys than girls. About one-third of children who have a febrile seizure will have at least one more before the age of 5. The younger a child is at his first febrile seizure, the more likely he is to have another. Febrile seizures also tend to run in families.
Parents are understandably very frightened by a seizure.
Do not force a spoon or any object between his teeth to keep him from biting his cheek or tongue. The child with a fever seizure should be evaluated in the pediatrician's office, or in an acute pediatric center or emergency department after hours. The pediatrician will reduce the fever by undressing the child and by giving medication, usually acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The doctor may also test blood or urine to determine the cause of the fever. An antibiotic will be prescribed if an ear or urine infection is discovered.