“My child has a high fever and suddenly develops tetanus and unconsciousness, what is going on? How should I give first aid when a febrile convulsion occurs?”
First of all, no matter what type of convulsions occur, parents must try to remain calm and avoid shouting and screaming, which will not help to save the child, but will scare the child and cause the dispatcher answering the emergency call to be unable to hear the address and situation, thus delaying the treatment.
In addition, do not stuff anything into the child’s mouth, such as food, water or medicine, to avoid choking; do not shake the child, do not forcefully restrain the child’s convulsing limbs to avoid muscle damage and fractures; do not pinch the child’s human center, and do not apply chest compressions when the child’s condition is not clear; if the child’s condition is not relieved within 5 minutes, please call the emergency number for help.
Etiology in different cases
Simple febrile convulsions
Simple febrile convulsions usually have a body temperature of more than 38°C. Convulsions usually occur when the body temperature rises abruptly to more than 39°C. They are generalized tonic or clonic seizures, which can occur in both limbs and last for 5-10 minutes or less, and the number of seizures during a fever is usually 1-2. The child has loss of consciousness but will soon wake up.
Complex febrile convulsions
Complex febrile convulsions may have a history of craniocerebral trauma, epilepsy, etc. The child’s body temperature is usually lower than 38°C. Convulsions can occur in any period of fever, with focal clonic seizures, mostly in the unilateral limbs or face, the seizure time is usually more than 15 minutes, the number of seizures in a febrile process is usually more than 4 or more than 5 repeated seizures in a day, the patient has loss of consciousness and wakes up slowly.
First aid in case of convulsive seizures
Open the airway
Put the child on the bed or flat floor, untie the collar of the child’s clothes, make his or her head tilted to the side, and promptly clean the child’s mouth and nose secretions with tissues or towels to keep his or her airway open and avoid suffocation; clean the hard objects around him or her to prevent the child from bumping due to convulsions.
Make records
Observe the state of the child during the febrile seizure, including eye, face and limb activities, etc. If possible, record a video so that you can provide it to the doctor as a reference during the consultation.
Lateral position
When the child stops convulsing, turn him/her to the right lateral position. After turning, pay attention to closely observe the child’s consciousness, breathing and pulse, etc. After the child’s condition has stabilized for 10 minutes, seek medical attention promptly.
Emergency transportation to hospital
If the child’s convulsions exceed 5 minutes and persist without relief, please call the emergency number immediately.
