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Patient Instructions

Your child has had a febrile seizure. A simple febrile seizure stops by itself within a few seconds to a few minutes. It is usually followed by a brief period of drowsiness or confusion. The first febrile seizure is a frightening moment for parents.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you take care of your child's febrile seizures.

Will my child have any brain damage from the febrile seizure?

Will my child have any more seizures?

• Is my child more likely to have a seizure the next time they have a fever?
• Is there anything I can do to prevent another seizure?

Does my child need medicine for seizures? Does my child need to see a doctor who takes care of people with seizures?

Do I need to take any safety measures at home to keep my child safe in case there is another seizure?

Do I need to discuss this seizure with my child's teacher? Can my child participate in gym class and recess when my child goes back to school or day care?

Are there any sports activities that my child should not do? Does my child need to wear a helmet for any type of activities?

Will I always be able to tell if my child is having a seizure?

What should I do if my child has another seizure?

• When should I call 911?
• After the seizure is over, what should I do?
• When should I call the doctor?

What to ask your doctor about febrile seizures

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.