infants The convulsions may be caused by the fever itself or by certain diseases involving the brain that also cause fever. Febrile convulsions (convulsions caused by the fever itself] occur in 5 to 10 percent of all children. How quickly the temperature rises is more important than how high the temperature is. A sudden rise of only 2°F or 3°F may cause convulsions, but a gradual rise of 5°F or 6°F may not. Febrile convulsions may be thought of as chills accompanied by shaking that become extreme. They are most common between the ages of three months and three years. Febrile convulsions occur less and less often from age three to age eight. After the age of eight, febrile convulsions are rare. One episode of febrile convulsions usually means that the child is more likely to have them in the future. However, the tendency to have febrile convulsions does not mean that the child will later have epilepsy. Diseases involving the brain that cause convulsions include meningitis, encephalitis, and abscess of the brain. When convulsions occur with these diseases, the child usually has a fever. However, the disease-not the fever-causes the convulsions. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Vo child, tends to have convulsions with ajever, sponge the u>ith a damp (lukewarm) sponge at the first sign oj Jever. During convulsions with fever, a child will fall unconscious, will become rigid, and may stop breathing briefly. The child may turn blue, lose control of the bladder and bowels, and vomit. The limbs, torso, jaws, and eyelids will jerk uncontrollably. The child will quickly be child's body? gin breathing normally again. The seizure activity may last two minutes to 30 minutes or longer. After regaining consciousness, the child will not remember that the convulsions occurred. Several traits of febrile convulsions can help you distinguish them from convulsions caused by such diseases as encephalitis, meningitis, and brain abscess. A major sign of febrile convulsions is that the child recovers quickly (within minutes). Immediately after a febrile convulsion. the child is alert, can respond, and is not prostrated (in a state of collapse or exhaustion). After a febrile convulsion, the child can bend the neck forward. There is often a family history of febrile convulsions. After convulsions caused by diseases involving the brain, the child often cannot bend the neck forward and may be in a state of collapse or exhaustion. HOME CARE Do not panic! Your child is in no pain and is in more danger from improper treatment than from the convulsion. Protect the child from injury while the convulsion is occurring. Call your doctor immediately. PRECAUTIONS • Do not give aspirin or any other medication by mouth to an unconscious child. An unconscious person cannot swallow and may choke on the medicine. • Do not give mouthtomouth resuscitation to a convulsing child. The breathing muscles are temporarily in spasm, and such forceful artificial respiration may be harmful. incubation