Please do not take this as a panic post. I don't want to be Chicken Little here...
My daughter had 2 febrile seizures, due to high (~104.5), unexplained (at the time) fevers. They came on without warning, without symptoms. One minute she was low grade, the next BAM! into full body trembling, tongue down her throat, seizure. The first time it happened I thought she was choking on food. She went limp, blue lips, and stopped breathing. Luckily I knew AR.
They transported her via ambulance to the ER, by the time we were there, she was alert, no fever and had a sore throat. She was 3 at the time, and wouldn't let Drs look in her throat. We were told Tylenol to keep the fever down. It was nerve wrecking. After seeing a walk-in clinic Dr, we were advised to use the Tylenol-Motrin method, switching back and forth between the two every 3hrs. This worked to keep the fevers down.
The second happened a month later, but this time we headed straight for ER when her fever reached 102. While waiting for the Dr, I realized I forgot my meds at home, so I asked the nurse to get her a Motrin (explaining the T/M method we were using), to which she said, ok. 15 minutes later, while still waiting, the seizure came on. This time she was seen by a ENT specialist, who said, she has an acute case of tonsilitis
AND an acute ear infection. Again, no complaint of sore throat or ear.
Tonsils here (Canada) are not removed unless there are 7 documented cases in 1 year, but with the febrile seizures it went down to 4. BUT the first episode was never documented!!!
We have never had another episode of seizures, and she is now 11 (febrile seizures are most common between 6mos and 6yrs). We still use the T/M method, and are currently fighting something, with a fever of 101.4 an hour ago. She now fights most of her fevers without meds, but my cut-off point is 101.5 ... she got Tylenol tonight.
Again, this wasn't to say OMG your child will have a febrile seizure if you don't....... but to make you aware of them. I never knew of them before. I warn all my friends with children in that age range.
- Just watch them closely with fevers.
- Trust your instincts.
- Tylenol and Motrin combined (alternating every 3 hrs) are the best defense to fighting stubborn fevers.
- DO NOT cool your child down with a bath/shower or ice packs... the shock alone could cause a febrile seizure if they are prone.
- Dress them in panties or diapers and let the room's temp cool them off.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
