Medically reviewed by Dr. Vannala Raju, Pediatrician & Neonatologist · Last updated 24 October 2026
Few things frighten a parent more than seeing their child suddenly go stiff, roll their eyes and start jerking during a fever. Many parents have told me they were sure something terrible was happening. Here’s the reassuring truth: most of these “fever fits,” called febrile seizures, are brief and leave no lasting harm. With so many viral fevers going around after the monsoon, it helps to know exactly what to do.
Quick answer: Keep your child safe on their side, don’t put anything in their mouth, and time the seizure. If it lasts more than 5 minutes, call 108 or 112. Every first febrile seizure needs a doctor’s check afterwards.
What is a febrile seizure?
A febrile seizure is a fit (a burst of uncontrolled movements caused by a sudden electrical storm in the brain) triggered by fever in an otherwise healthy young child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent site, it happens in about 3 to 4 out of every 100 children, between 6 months and 5 years of age, most often around 12 to 18 months. It often comes with the first fever spike of a common infection such as a cold, flu or ear infection.
What it looks like
- Stiffening, twitching or jerking of the arms and legs
- Eyes rolling up, not responding to you
- Drooling, vomiting or passing urine
- Sleepiness, crankiness or confusion for up to an hour afterwards
The NHS notes that most last 2 to 3 minutes. A “simple” febrile seizure involves the whole body, lasts under 15 minutes and happens once in 24 hours. A “complex” one lasts longer, affects only one side, or repeats within a day, and needs closer evaluation.
What to do during a seizure
- Stay calm and note the start time.
- Lay your child on the floor or a safe flat surface, away from sharp or hard objects, and turn them on their side so saliva or vomit can drain.
- Don’t hold them down or try to stop the movements.
- Never put anything in the mouth: no spoon, finger, water or medicine. Children do not swallow their tongue.
- Don’t sponge with cold water or dunk them in a bath during the fit.
When it’s an emergency
Call 108 or 112, or go to the nearest hospital straight away, if:
- the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- your child has trouble breathing or turns blue
- only one side of the body is jerking
- another seizure happens within 24 hours
- your child stays very drowsy for more than an hour, or has a stiff neck, repeated vomiting or a rash that doesn’t fade
Even when a first febrile seizure stops quickly, your child should be seen the same day so the doctor can find the cause of the fever and rule out serious infections like meningitis (an infection of the brain’s lining). Babies under 6 months with fever need prompt care anyway, as I explain in my guide on fever in young babies.
After the seizure: what helps and what doesn’t
Once your child is checked, care is mostly about the illness causing the fever. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease discomfort, but the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that many studies show treating fever does not lower the risk of a febrile seizure. My note on fever after vaccination covers safe paracetamol use. Keep your child’s vaccines up to date: they prevent measles, flu, pneumococcal disease and other infections that cause high fevers. In mosquito season, also watch for dengue warning signs.
If your child has had more than one febrile seizure, or you simply want a calm plan for the next fever, you can talk it through with me in clinic.
Key takeaways
- Febrile seizures are common between 6 months and 5 years, and simple ones cause no lasting harm.
- Put your child on their side, keep the mouth empty, and call 108 or 112 if it lasts over 5 minutes.
- Every first febrile seizure needs a medical check.
- Fever medicines ease comfort but do not prevent fits.
Frequently asked questions
Can a febrile seizure cause brain damage?
Usually not. Short febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, learning problems or long-term harm. Very long seizures, lasting more than 15 to 30 minutes, need emergency treatment, which is why you should call for help if a seizure goes past 5 minutes.
Will giving paracetamol early prevent a febrile seizure?
No. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can make a feverish child more comfortable, but studies show they do not prevent febrile seizures. Give them for comfort at the right dose, not to stop a fit.
Will my child have another febrile seizure?
About 3 in 10 children have another one with a later fever. The chance is closer to 1 in 2 if the first seizure happened before age one. Most children outgrow them by school age.
Does a febrile seizure mean my child has epilepsy?
No. A febrile seizure is not epilepsy. The risk of epilepsy later is only slightly higher than in other children, and most children who have febrile seizures never develop it.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Please see your pediatrician for advice about your child.
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