Is a febrile convulsion dangerous?
Although alarming, a febrile convulsion is not usually dangerous. Full recovery is usual. Most illnesses which cause fever and febrile convulsions are the common coughs, colds, and virus infections which are not usually serious. However, the illness that causes the fever is sometimes serious, for example, pneumonia. The child should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible after a convulsion for a check over to rule out serious illness. However, call a doctor or ambulance urgently if: • the child does not improve quickly once a short convulsion is over. • a convulsion lasts more than five minutes. • another convulsion starts soon after the first one stops. • the child has difficulty breathing. • Is treatment needed? No treatment is usually needed for the convulsion itself if it stops within a few minutes. (However, treatment may be needed for the infection causing the fever.) Sometimes the convulsion lasts longer, and a doctor may give a medicine to stop it. For example, a doctor may pu
