The brain works using electrical signals. A seizure is a sudden increase in these electrical signals. During a seizure, someone can have uncontrolled movements of their body and seem unaware of what is going on. In a child who has a fever, it is called a febrile (FEH-bryle) seizure.

Febrile seizures can be scary to see, but kids usually outgrow them by around 5 years old, and they are not a sign of a serious illness.

Here's how to care for your child.

• Give any medicines as prescribed by your child's healthcare provider.
• Let your child rest if they feel sleepy.
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids.
• If your child has a fever and your healthcare provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the directions on the label for how much to give and how often. Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old. Don't give aspirin to your child. It can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
• Schedule a follow-up visit with your healthcare provider as directed.
• If your child has another seizure:

1. Gently lower your child to the floor.
2. Put your child on their side to prevent choking in case they vomit.
3. Put something small and soft under your child's head.
4. Move sharp or breakable objects out of the way.
5. Don't try to hold or restrain your child.
6. Don't put anything in your child's mouth.
7. Stay with your child during the seizure and keep track of how long it lasts.
8. When the seizure is over, let your child rest as needed.

Call 911 if your child's seizure lasts five minutes or longer, they become blue in the face, or they have trouble breathing.

Your child:

• Has another seizure that lasts less than five minutes
• Isn't feeling better when the healthcare provider told you they should or still has a fever after 2–3 days
• Gets better, then develops symptoms of an infection, such as vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, cough or congestion, a rash, foul-smelling pee or pain when peeing, or ear pain

Your child:

• Has another seizure that lasts longer than five minutes
• Has a seizure when they do not have a fever
• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration (not enough water in the body), such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, less pee or darker pee than usual, little or no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness
• Has signs of a serious infection, such as vomiting again and again, a severe headache, neck pain or stiffness, extreme drowsiness, or tiny red dots on the skin

Call 911 if your child has a seizure that lasts five minutes or longer, they become blue in the face, or they have trouble breathing.

Why do kids get febrile seizures? No one knows for sure why febrile seizures happen. Experts think they're linked to the way some children's developing brains react to high fevers. They are more likely to happen in kids between 6 months and 5 years old, in children with an illness caused by a virus (a type of germ), and in kids whose family members have had seizures.

Will my child have another febrile seizure? Some things that make it more likely that a child will have another febrile seizure include:

• Having their first febrile seizure when they were younger than 18 months old
• Having the first seizure when the fever wasn't very high (less than 102.2°F or 39°C)
• Having a family member with seizures
• If they have had trouble with their development

Will my child have other problems after having a febrile seizure? Febrile seizures do not cause brain damage or any other permanent problems. Also, having a febrile seizure doesn't mean a child has epilepsy (a seizure disorder) or will develop a different seizure disorder.

Will fever-reducing medicines prevent my child from having a febrile seizure? Although fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help your child feel more comfortable when they have a fever, these medicines do not prevent children from having febrile seizures.