Febrile convulsions

​Treatment

  • To keep the airways clear, place you child on his or her tummy or side with the head turned to the side.
  • Remove excess and tight clothing.
  • Reduce fever by giving the child paracetamol (one dose is 10 to 15 mg per kg) or some other antipyretic drug (follow the instructions on the package leaflet). If the child is not responding, do not administer drugs orally.
  • Visit a physician or hospital emergency department, if seizures last for a long time.
  • If your child has had febrile convulsions before and you have a prescription, administer a diazepam enema when the seizure lasts over 5 minutes. Administer the drug slowly taking 2 to 4 minutes.

 

The first time your child has febrile convulsions or if meningitis or encephalitis is suspected, seek medical assistance at your local health centre. Meningitis and encephalitis should be suspected when the child is nauseous and presents with neck or back stiffness, or the child becomes very suddenly extremely ill.

Medical assistance is not necessary when the child has had febrile convulsions before and their duration is short.