Quick answer. Febrile seizures are fits triggered by a fever in young children, and although they are frightening to witness, most are brief and harmless with no lasting effects. Call 995 if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, your child has trouble breathing, the seizures repeat, or it is your child’s first-ever seizure.
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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.
Few things are more frightening for a parent than watching their young child have a seizure during a fever. The reassuring truth, however, is that febrile seizures are common in early childhood, are usually brief, and the vast majority cause no harm and leave no lasting effects. They happen because a young child’s developing brain is sensitive to a rapid rise in body temperature, not because of any underlying damage.
This guide explains what febrile seizures are, what to do (and what not to do) if your child has one, and when a seizure becomes an emergency that needs you to call 995. Knowing what to expect can help you stay calm and act correctly if it ever happens, while also recognising the small number of situations that need urgent medical attention.
At a glance
| Feature | Simple febrile seizure | Complex febrile seizure |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Less than 15 minutes (usually under 5) | Longer than 15 minutes |
| Number in 24 hours | One | More than one |
| Body involved | Whole body (generalised) | May affect one side or part of the body |
| How common | The large majority of cases | Less common |
| Follow-up | Usually no special tests needed | Doctor may arrange further assessment |
What are febrile seizures?
A febrile seizure is a fit or convulsion that occurs in a child when they have a fever, usually from a common infection such as a cold, flu, ear infection or another childhood illness. They most often happen in children between about 6 months and 5 years of age, with a peak around 12 to 18 months.
During a typical febrile seizure, the child may become stiff, their arms and legs may jerk, their eyes may roll back, and they may lose consciousness briefly. It is upsetting to watch, but a simple febrile seizure is short, involves the whole body, and the child recovers within minutes. Febrile seizures are not the same as epilepsy, and having one does not mean your child has a serious brain problem.
Symptoms & signs
A febrile seizure usually happens during the early part of an illness, sometimes before parents even realise the child has a high fever. Common features include:
- Sudden stiffening of the body, followed by rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs.
- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Eyes rolling back, and sometimes the lips turning slightly blue.
- Possible loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Drowsiness and confusion for a short while afterwards, before the child returns to normal.
A simple febrile seizure typically lasts less than 5 minutes and involves the whole body. After it, the child is usually sleepy but recovers fully. It is the duration, repetition or one-sided nature of a seizure that signals it may be more than a simple febrile seizure.
Causes & risk factors
Febrile seizures are triggered by fever, particularly a rapid rise in temperature, during a childhood infection. They are not caused by the fever being especially high in every case – the speed of the rise matters too. Factors that make them more likely include:
- Age – they affect young children whose brains are still developing.
- A family history of febrile seizures, as there is a genetic tendency.
- Recent or current viral or bacterial infections.
- Sometimes following certain vaccinations that can cause fever (the benefit of vaccination still far outweighs this small risk).
Importantly, febrile seizures are not caused by anything a parent did or failed to do, and giving fever medicine does not reliably prevent them. They are a reaction of a young, sensitive brain to fever.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors usually diagnose a febrile seizure from the history of what happened and an examination of the child. The main task is to find and treat the cause of the fever, and to make sure there is no more serious infection such as meningitis. The doctor will ask how long the seizure lasted, what it looked like, and whether it affected the whole body or just one side.
For a typical simple febrile seizure in an otherwise well child, no special tests are usually needed. However, if the seizure was prolonged, affected one side, happened more than once in the same illness, or if the child seems unwell, the doctor may do further tests – such as blood tests, urine tests, or in some cases a lumbar puncture or brain scan – to rule out a more serious cause.
What to do during a seizure & treatment
If your child has a febrile seizure, try to stay calm and follow these steps:
- Note the time the seizure starts, so you know how long it lasts.
- Place your child on a soft surface and gently turn them onto their side (recovery position) to keep the airway clear.
- Move away any nearby hard or sharp objects to prevent injury.
- Do not put anything in their mouth, do not try to hold them down or stop the movements, and do not give food or drink during the seizure.
- Stay with your child and reassure them as they recover afterwards.
Most febrile seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. There is no specific ‘treatment’ for the seizure itself in simple cases; the focus afterwards is on managing the fever for comfort and treating the underlying infection. Fever medicines such as paracetamol help your child feel more comfortable but are not a guaranteed way to prevent future seizures.
When to call 995 & which doctor to see
Call 995 immediately if: the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, your child has difficulty breathing or their lips stay blue, the seizure repeats or your child does not wake up properly between seizures, or this is your child’s first-ever seizure. Also seek emergency care if your child seems very unwell, has a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or you are worried about a serious infection such as meningitis.
Even after a short, simple febrile seizure, it is wise to have your child seen by a doctor the same day to find the cause of the fever and for reassurance. A GP or paediatrician can assess your child; you can start at a GP clinic in Singapore, who can refer to a paediatrician or A&E if needed. Children’s hospitals such as KKH also assess children after seizures. The overall message remains reassuring: most children who have a febrile seizure grow out of them with no lasting effects.
Related guides
- Best Paediatric Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- paediatric clinics directory
- PTSD
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Seborrhoeic keratosis
- Pityriasis rosea
- Impetigo
Sources
- NHS – Febrile seizures
- Mayo Clinic – Febrile seizure
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital – Conditions & Treatments
- HealthHub Singapore – Fever in Children
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