Question
How can children over 3 years old prevent and treat high fever seizures? Please seek expert guidance.
Answer
High fever seizures are common in children aged between 6 months and 5 years, with the highest incidence rate at around 2 years old. Approximately 4% of children will experience high fever seizures, which may have a family history. Causes of seizures include ear infections, urinary tract infections, and so on. Children’s brains are more sensitive to temperature changes, and high fever may lead to abnormal brain activity, triggering generalized seizures. Seizures may last for several minutes, with symptoms including loss of consciousness and spasms of the limbs. If a child has a seizure for the first time, they should be taken to the hospital immediately for a correct diagnosis. During a seizure, the child should be placed on their back with the head turned to one side, and a warm towel can be used to cool down. Avoid placing the child in a high-temperature environment and ensure that their breathing is unobstructed. If the seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes, medical attention should be sought immediately. After a seizure, discuss the cause and treatment method with the doctor. To prevent subsequent seizures, immediate cooling measures should be taken when the child’s body temperature rises, such as taking acetaminophen and removing excessive clothing. If cooling is ineffective, consider giving preventive medication. Generally, children over 6 years old do not experience high fever seizures again, and only a very few children who have had seizures will develop epilepsy.