Fever-induced seizures, also known as febrile seizures, are typically experienced by children between the ages of six months and five years old. Although febrile seizures can be frightening for parents to witness, they are usually harmless and do not typically cause brain damage.
What Are Febrile Seizures?
Febrile seizures are convulsions caused by a spike in body temperature during a fever. Typically, febrile seizures last between one and fifteen minutes and are characterized by periods of shaking or jerking of the body.
Do Febrile Seizures Cause Brain Damage?
The majority of febrile seizures are harmless and do not cause brain damage. In rare cases, however, febrile seizures can cause long-term damage, such as epilepsy or cognitive impairment. It is important to note that long-term damage from febrile seizures is extremely rare and the chances of it occurring are very low.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of Brain Damage from Fever-induced Seizures?
To reduce the risk of brain damage from fever-induced seizures, it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of febrile seizures in the first place. Making sure your child gets vaccinated and receives regular checkups to check for infections can help reduce the risk of febrile seizures. Additionally, if your child does have a fever, it is important to make sure that their temperature is properly controlled with the help of a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
In the unlikely event that your child experiences a febrile seizure, it is important to remain calm and call 911 immediately. It is also important to ensure that your child is in a safe environment and that they are not in any danger of hurting themselves.