Fever Seizures
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Has your child had fever seizures in the past and now has had another fever seizure?
See significance of previous fever seizures if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note: If your child has had a fever seizure in the past and you have talked with your health professional about how to care for your child after a seizure, be sure to follow your health professional's instructions.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Has your child had a seizure that does not fall within the criteria for a fever seizure?
A seizure is likely to be fever-related if it meets the following criteria:
- The seizure happened within 24 hours of the start of a fever.
- The seizure lasted less than 3 minutes.
- The seizure affected the entire body, not just one side of the body.
- The child is between 6 months and 6 years old.
- The child does not have nervous system (neurological) problems.
- The child has had fever seizures before.
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had another fever seizure that does fall within the criteria for a fever seizure?
Note: If the fever seizure falls within the guidelines for a fever seizure, an appointment may not be necessary. Your health professional will want to know that your child has had a fever seizure and will discuss your child's symptoms and care with you.
Yes Has your child had a seizure that is different from past seizures, or is your child now behaving differently than after past seizures?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 24, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
 | ||