One warm summer weekend, my friends and I decided to go on a camping trip by the lake. We were a group of families, each with kids ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers. The adults were sitting around the campfire, enjoying the evening glow, while the children played nearby. I was there with my close friends, enjoying some rare, peaceful moments away from our daily routines.
Suddenly, we heard a panicked voice. It was my friend Linda, calling out frantically for her husband. We all turned towards her tent and saw her holding her two-year-old son, Jamie, who seemed to be jerking and shivering uncontrollably. Linda’s face was filled with fear, and as a doctor, I immediately knew that Jamie was experiencing a febrile convulsion.
What Are Febrile Convulsions?
I quickly made my way to Linda, reassuring her that I was there to help. As a mother, she looked desperate, and I understood her fear. Jamie’s body was jerking, and his eyes were rolled back. I could see why it must have looked so frightening to her.
“Febrile convulsions happen when young children have a sudden high fever, usually above 38°C (100.4°F),” I calmly told her, trying to ease her anxiety. Febrile convulsions are brief seizures that occur when the body temperature spikes rapidly. It doesn’t always mean there’s something severely wrong, but it looks scarier than it actually is.
In Jamie’s case, the culprit seemed to be an unnoticed fever that had suddenly spiked.
What Causes Febrile Convulsions?
I continued explaining to Linda, who was still visibly worried, “Febrile convulsions occur due to the fever itself. Jamie might have caught a viral infection that caused his temperature to rise so quickly. The younger brain—especially in children like Jamie between six months and five years old—is sensitive to sudden increases in temperature.”
It’s very common, I told her, particularly in children aged 6 months to 3 years. For some reason, their brains are more sensitive to rapid temperature changes than older children or adults.
Managing the Convulsion—A Real-Life Approach
The seizure seemed to last forever, but it really was just about a minute. I calmly laid Jamie on his side on the tent floor, ensuring his head was turned slightly so he wouldn’t have any difficulty breathing. This is known as the recovery position, and it is important for maintaining an open airway.
Staying Calm Is Key
“Linda, I need you to take a deep breath,” I said gently. The last thing we needed was more panic, and I could tell she was on the verge of breaking down. I kept Jamie’s airway clear, making sure he wasn’t near anything that could hurt him during the convulsion.
“The most important thing is to stay calm,” I said. “He won’t remember this episode later, and it doesn’t mean that he will develop epilepsy or brain damage.” Jamie slowly began to stop jerking, and his body relaxed.
Once the seizure was over, I checked Jamie’s temperature—it was quite high, around 39°C (102.2°F).
How to Help Prevent Another Episode
To help prevent another seizure, I needed to reduce his temperature. I told Linda to undress Jamie to a light layer and gave him a mixture of paracetamol to reduce his fever. We also made sure he had enough fluids, as dehydration can worsen a fever. I reassured Linda that febrile convulsions typically do not cause lasting problems. However, I advised her to contact her pediatrician as soon as we returned to get Jamie checked.
We then placed cool, damp cloths on his forehead, giving him comfort. Jamie began to slowly come back to himself, opening his eyes and looking disoriented but safe. Linda was finally able to breathe, holding Jamie close.
Addressing the Risks of Febrile Convulsions
I wanted Linda and the others who had gathered around to understand the reality of febrile convulsions. “While febrile convulsions can be alarming, they don’t usually cause any long-term problems. Most children are perfectly fine afterward,” I explained.
“However, the most significant risk is if the convulsion happens near something dangerous—like a fire, glass table, or near water. Luckily, Jamie was in the tent and there was nothing around that could harm him.”
I emphasized that, though febrile convulsions are frightening, most kids are okay once they pass. There is a chance that Jamie could have another one, especially if he gets another high fever. The important thing was to know how to handle it properly, which Linda now did.
How to Manage a Convulsion Effectively
Here’s what I did for Jamie and what you can do in a similar situation:
- Turn the child on their side: This keeps the airway open and ensures that if they vomit, it won’t choke them.
- Stay calm: This is vital for the well-being of both the child and the person caring for them.
- Keep them safe: Remove any dangerous objects that could harm the child while they are jerking.
- Don’t force anything into their mouth: Unlike what some may think, never put anything in their mouth—it can cause injury.
- Seek medical help if needed: If the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if there is something concerning about the child’s condition afterward, contact emergency services or see a doctor.
Helping Linda and Others Understand Febrile Convulsions
Later that night, as the kids were all tucked into their sleeping bags and the calm had returned, we sat around the fire. Many of the parents were still visibly shaken, but they were also curious and had many questions.
“Does This Mean Jamie Will Have Epilepsy?”
“No, febrile convulsions are different from epilepsy,” I clarified. “Most children outgrow febrile seizures by the age of six, and they don’t cause epilepsy. Having febrile convulsions doesn’t mean Jamie will have long-term problems with seizures.”
“What’s a Rigor?”
Another friend asked what a rigor was since they had heard me mention it earlier. I explained that a rigor is different from a seizure. It involves uncontrolled shivering due to a high fever, often with teeth chattering, but it is not the same as a febrile convulsion.
“Could This Have Been Prevented?”
I shook my head. “Febrile convulsions are sometimes unpredictable. The best thing you can do is try to manage fever as soon as you notice it. Give plenty of fluids, paracetamol, and dress them lightly. But it’s important to know that sometimes these seizures just happen, and it’s nobody’s fault.”
Jamie’s Recovery and Final Thoughts
The rest of the camping trip went well, and Jamie recovered completely. Linda and Sam were a lot calmer after learning that this experience, though traumatic, was something many parents faced. Linda thanked me for being there for them.
“You know, Priya, if you hadn’t been here, I don’t know what we would have done. Thank you so much.” she said.
I smiled and nodded. “Linda, febrile convulsions are really scary, but you did everything right. Just remember that the main thing is to keep Jamie safe, keep the environment calm, and get him checked when you can. You’re a great mom, and he’s lucky to have you.”
As we packed up to head home the next day, I hoped that the parents who had witnessed what happened to Jamie felt more equipped to face a similar situation. Knowledge is empowering, and understanding that febrile convulsions are not life-threatening is often enough to help calm the fear they cause.
FAQs on Febrile Convulsions
Q: What should I do if my child has a febrile convulsion?
- A: Place them on their side, keep the area safe, and stay calm. If the convulsion lasts longer than 5 minutes, seek emergency medical help.
Q: Do febrile convulsions lead to epilepsy?
- A: No, most children who experience febrile convulsions do not go on to develop epilepsy. These seizures are often outgrown by age 6.
Q: Can febrile convulsions be prevented?
- A: It is difficult to completely prevent febrile convulsions, but managing fever with paracetamol, ensuring fluids, and keeping the child cool can help reduce the risk.