Going home after your visit
After a febrile convulsion
What happened, what to do if it happens again, and when to get help.
Your child has had a febrile convulsion — a fit (seizure) brought on by a high temperature. They are frightening to watch, but are common in young children, usually harmless, and do not mean your child has epilepsy.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Call 999 now if any of these happen
A short fit that fully stops on its own is not usually an emergency, but these signs are.
- The fit lasts more than 5 minutes
- Another fit starts before they have recovered, or they have more than one fit in 24 hours
- The stiffness or twitching is on only one side of their body
- They have trouble breathing, or go blue or grey
- They do not wake up properly, or stay very sleepy more than an hour afterwards
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass on it
- A stiff neck, or you are seriously worried about them
CALL 999 If this is the first fit your child has ever had, they should be seen the same day — call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.
If your child has another fit
- Stay calm and note the time it starts.
- Move them somewhere safe and cushion their head; clear away hard objects.
- Do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
- Do not put them in a bath.
- Once it stops, roll them onto their side, comfort them and let them rest.
- Most febrile fits stop within a few minutes.
Managing the fever
- Offer regular drinks.
- You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen if your child is distressed.
- Medicine helps them feel better but does not stop another febrile fit.
- Do not undress them or sponge them with cold water.
- Let them rest.
What is normal afterwards
After a short febrile fit, it is common for your child to be:
SleepyTearful or clingyConfused for a few minutesSlow to get back to normal
This usually settles within an hour. If it does not, get advice.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above