Loading...
Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A young child with fever is having a seizure — shaking, stiff, or staring blankly and not responding.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Child between 6 months and 5 years with fever who suddenly stiffens or shakes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Eyes rolling, jerking arms and legs, or going limp and unresponsive.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Staring blankly and not responding for more than 15 seconds (absence seizure).
Scene hazards: Furniture edges, Hard floor, Stairs
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lay the child on the floor on their side — not on a bed or couch where they could fall.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note the time. Remove nearby hard toys and furniture.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put anything in the child's mouth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT hold the child down or try to stop the shaking.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give fever medicine or water during the seizure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — When it stops — keep on their side, check breathing, stay with them until fully awake.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, the child turns blue, has trouble breathing, or this is their first seizure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Child [age] having febrile seizure. Started at [time]. Fever present."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All febrile seizures need medical evaluation to find the cause of fever and rule out serious infection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put the child in a cold bath to bring down fever during a seizure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put fingers or objects in the mouth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume it is harmless because it stopped — the child needs a doctor.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Febrile seizures cause brain damage
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Simple febrile seizures usually do not cause lasting harm. The underlying infection still needs treatment.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Parents either panic excessively or skip medical care thinking it is harmless.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should force fever medicine during the seizure
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Never give anything by mouth during a seizure — choking risk. Treat fever after the child is awake.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Aspiration and choking from liquid or pills given during active seizure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Febrile seizures happen when a child's body temperature rises quickly, usually from infection. They are frightening but often stop on their own.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Even though febrile seizures are common, every one needs medical evaluation afterward.