Few things frighten a parent more than watching their child suddenly stiffen or shake during a fever. If this has happened to your child, or you simply want to be prepared, take a deep breath. A febrile seizure looks alarming, but in most cases it is brief and does not cause lasting harm. Understanding what is happening can replace panic with calm, practical action. This guide covers what parents in Singapore should know about febrile seizures singapore families sometimes encounter during a childhood illness.
This article is general information only. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for seeing a doctor. Any child who has a seizure should be assessed by a medical professional, and a first ever febrile seizure always needs urgent medical attention.
What Is a Febrile Seizure
A febrile seizure is a convulsion that can happen when a young child has a fever, usually from a common infection such as a cold, flu or ear infection. They most often occur in children between around six months and five years of age. It is the rise in body temperature, rather than any one specific illness, that appears to set them off in children whose developing brains are more sensitive to fever.
During a seizure, a child may lose consciousness, their body may stiffen or jerk, their eyes may roll back, and they may briefly stop responding to you. It can last a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Afterwards, children are often sleepy, confused or irritable for a short while before returning to themselves.
It is worth knowing that a simple febrile seizure is usually not harmful and does not mean your child has epilepsy or brain damage. Many children who have one febrile seizure never have another, and most who do outgrow them by school age. That said, only a doctor can confirm what happened and rule out other causes, so medical assessment is always needed.
What to Do During a Seizure
If your child has a seizure, your calm response helps keep them safe. The goal is to protect them from injury and to time how long it lasts.
- Stay calm and stay with your child. Note the time the seizure starts.
- Gently place your child on a soft, flat surface, such as the floor, away from furniture edges, stairs or water.
- Turn them onto their side (the recovery position). This helps keep the airway clear and lets any saliva drain out of the mouth.
- Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.
- Remove nearby hard or sharp objects so they cannot hurt themselves.
Just as important is what not to do. Do not try to hold your child down or stop the movements. Do not put anything, including your fingers, food, water or medicine, into their mouth. A child cannot swallow their tongue, and forcing something in can cause injury or choking. Simply watch, protect and time the event.
When to Call 995
While most febrile seizures are brief and self limiting, some situations need emergency help without delay. Call 995 or go straight to A&E if any of the following apply:
- It is your child’s first ever febrile seizure. Even if it looks like it has stopped, a first seizure always needs urgent assessment.
- The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- Your child has repeated seizures, one after another, or does not fully wake up between them.
- Your child has difficulty breathing, or their lips or face turn blue or grey.
- Your child seems very unwell, is unusually drowsy, has a stiff neck, a severe headache, or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
If the seizure stops quickly and this is not the first one, contact your doctor the same day for advice, as your child should still be reviewed to find and treat the cause of the fever. When you are weighing up clinic versus hospital, our guide on when to take your child to A&E vs the GP in Singapore offers a helpful steer.
After a Seizure and Managing Fever
Once the seizure has passed and your child is resting, focus on comfort and the underlying illness. Keep them cool and comfortable, offer sips of fluid once they are fully awake and alert, and let them rest. Fever itself is the body’s way of fighting infection, so the aim is your child’s comfort rather than chasing a particular number on the thermometer.
Importantly, giving fever medicine does not reliably prevent a febrile seizure, so do not over medicate in the hope of avoiding one, and never exceed what your doctor advises. This article does not name specific medicines or doses, as those should come from your doctor or pharmacist. For general background on caring for a feverish child, see our guides on children’s fever and when to see a doctor in Singapore and caring for a sick child at home in Singapore.
Staying Prepared, Not Fearful
Knowing that febrile seizures are usually brief and harmless, and having a clear plan for how to keep your child safe, is the best antidote to fear. Share this knowledge with grandparents, helpers and anyone who cares for your child, so everyone can respond calmly. And for any persistent, unusual or worrying symptoms, always consult a doctor or paediatrician, who can guide you through your child’s individual situation with care.