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Seeing your child have a febrile seizure can be frightening, especially if you haven't seen someone have a seizure before. But there are some simple things you can do to help.

Check the time as soon as you can. It may feel as if the seizure is going on forever. But most febrile seizures are very brief. They often last less than a couple of minutes. It will be useful if you can tell your doctor how long your child's seizure lasted. If it goes on for more than five minutes, you should get medical help.

This means rolling them onto their side, so they can breathe easily. Make sure the space around them is clear and safe so that they can't hurt themselves. For very young children and babies, cradle them in your arms, on their side, with their feet slightly higher than their head.

If your child vomits, try to clear it away from their mouth so they don't choke. You may worry your child is going to stop breathing, or that they'll bite their tongue. But you should never put anything in your child's mouth to try to keep it open.

If your child is twitching, try to keep an eye on whether one side of their body is jerking, or both sides. Most children having a febrile seizure go stiff and rigid. Or they may jerk both sides of their body. But if one side jerks more, you'll need to tell your child's doctor. Try to remember which side of your child's body seemed to move more strongly.

If it's the first time your child has had a seizure, take them to their doctor or to the hospital, or call 911 for an ambulance.

If your child has had a febrile seizure before, you may know how to look after them yourself. But always get medical help for a seizure that lasts more than five minutes, or if you're at all worried about your child.

If your child has more than one febrile seizure within 24 hours, you should get medical help.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.