At first, I brushed off the occasional shaking from my son when he developed a fever. Usually occurring just as he was dozing off, I assumed it was simply a sleep jerk, heightened by his illness. However, one evening when he was about three years old, suffering from one of those common childhood viruses, everything changed. He suddenly sat up in bed, his eyes vacant, his body convulsing, and teeth chattering. When I attempted to speak to him, he was either unresponsive or unable to hear me.
I have no idea how long the episode lasted—probably just a couple of minutes—but it felt like an eternity. I called my partner, Mark, into the room, desperate for an explanation. He could see I was panicking (not my greatest skill at hiding emotions). “I think it’s just because he’s sick. He’ll be okay,” he reassured me. And he was correct. Just as suddenly as it began, the seizure ceased, leaving my son in a deep, feverish slumber.
We immediately contacted our pediatrician, and a nurse answered. I relayed what had happened, and she calmly walked me through a series of questions: Was he sick? What were his symptoms? Had he had a fever in the last few days? I was baffled by her detached demeanor while I was in full-on panic mode, needing immediate reassurance that my child wasn’t on the brink of death.
“It sounds like he experienced a febrile seizure due to a virus,” she concluded. “Nothing to worry about; just bring him in when he wakes up.” While it was comforting to know he wasn’t in immediate danger, I still felt uneasy. I stayed close to him as he slept, his body warm, congested, and softly whimpering in his dreams. Thankfully, the seizure activity had subsided.
When we finally took him to the doctor, he was diagnosed with—wait for it—a virus. Just a nasty cold, not even the flu. The doctor further assured us that febrile seizures occur only during illness, are quite common, and typically have no lasting consequences.
Research corroborated this (because, of course, after receiving advice from medical professionals, I hit the internet for further validation). According to Healthy Children, a resource from The Academy of American Pediatrics, febrile seizures occur in about 3 to 4 out of every 100 children, often run in families, and predominantly affect kids between 6 months and 5 years old. The website states categorically that while febrile seizures can be alarming, they do not cause harm: “Febrile seizures do not lead to brain damage, nervous system issues, paralysis, intellectual disabilities, or death.”
Despite the reassurances from medical sources and my own research, it took days for the panic to dissipate. It is one thing to rationalize an experience after it occurs; it’s another to witness it firsthand.
Let me be clear: regardless of how benign these seizures may be, they are undeniably terrifying. My son experienced several more of these episodes over the years, and each time, even with knowledge of their nature, I would find myself in a state of sheer panic. Watching your child’s body convulse, drool spilling from their mouth, and eyes rolling back is nothing short of horrifying.
I am grateful he eventually outgrew these seizures, as many assured me he would. Then I had another son, who also experienced a few febrile seizures. And yes, I panicked each time, even though I understood what was happening and that he would be fine.
In the grand scheme of parenting, we recognize how fortunate we are if this is one of the most challenging experiences we face. I truly understand that. However, I still harbor a deep-seated aversion to febrile seizures. If you’re a parent who has witnessed this with your child, know I’m right there with you. It’s completely valid to feel traumatized. No parent can simply brush off such an experience.
For those who are yet to encounter febrile seizures, I sincerely hope you never have to witness one. However, it’s beneficial to be informed, as it would have been helpful for me to know what was happening the first time I experienced it. Still, I would likely have panicked regardless, because that’s just how parenting rolls sometimes.
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Summary: Febrile seizures, while common in children during illness, can be frightening experiences for parents. Understanding their nature and seeking medical advice can mitigate anxiety, but the emotional impact of witnessing such events can linger. Being informed is essential for all parents.
Keyphrase: febrile seizures
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