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Note the time it started. Lie the child on their side with their head level or slightly lower than the body (the recovery position). Do not put anything into the mouth, but remove anything that could affect breathing (such as vomit or food). Do not shake the child. When the convulsion stops, try to lower the child's temperature to make them feel more comfortable. To do this take off their clothes, and give some paracetamol or ibuprofen as soon as they have recovered enough to swallow.

Can febrile convulsions be prevented?

It may seem logical that if you keep a child's temperature down during a feverish illness it may prevent a febrile convulsion. However, there is little scientific evidence to prove that this is so. (It is unclear what triggers the convulsion. It is possibly some body chemical that is released during certain feverish illnesses rather than the temperature itself. Most children with a high temperature do not have a convulsion.) However, it is common practice to keep a child cool when they have a feverish illness. This will make them feel more comfortable and may possibly prevent a febrile convulsion. If a child appears hot, then the following will help to reduce the temperature.

• Keep the child very lightly dressed, or take all their clothes off if the room is warm.
• Give paracetamol, (for example, Calpol, Disprol, etc) or ibuprofen.
• Give lots of cool drinks.

Will it happen again?

Only one convulsion occurs in most cases. In about 3 in 10 children who have a febrile convulsion, a second convulsion occurs with a future feverish illness. In less than 1 in 10 children who have a febrile convulsion, three or more further convulsions occur during future feverish illnesses. A future febrile convulsion is more likely if the first occurs in a child younger than 15 months, or if there is a family history of febrile convulsions in close relatives (father, mother, sister, brother). Once the child is past three years old, the chance of a recurrence becomes much less likely.

Therefore, recurrences are not common, but it is best to be prepared. For example, practice putting children into the recovery position. Also, be confident that you know how to bring a fever down in a child (see above). Always have some paracetamol or ibuprofen in the home.

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