My wife and I had a scare of our lives when our son (2½ years) threw a fit for the first time. His hands and legs were shaking. His eyes rolled up and his face turned blue. Recalling first aid learnt at school, I put a chopstick between his teeth. The episode lasted less than 2 minutes. When he gained consciousness, I inserted a suppository and placed a cool patch on his forehead. Then we rushed him to the nearest hospital. The doctor told us he suffered a febrile fit.

Febrile carries the meaning 'pertaining to or marked by fever'. The word originates from Medieval Latin, febrilis, meaning 'pertaining to fever' and from the Latin word febris, meaning 'fever'. A febrile fit is a convulsion caused by a rapid increase in body temperature.

• Loss of consciousness
• Body becomes stiff
• Head is thrown backwards
• Arms and legs shaking
• Eyeballs roll up
• Skin turns pale and sometimes may turn blue

• Place the child on a soft surface
• Remove tall objects that may fall if the child knocks accidentally.
• Lay the child side ways to free the air passage, as saliva or mucus may accumulate in the mouth.
• Loosen tight-fitting clothing and remove warm clothing.
• Do not put anything in the child's mouth to avoid him from biting his tongue.
• Do not try to hold or stop the shaking movement.
• Insert a suppository to bring the fever down. Obtain this from your doctor and keep some handy at home or during travelling.
• Sponge with lukewarm water (not cold water).
• Admit your child to the nearest hospital if it is your child's first febrile fit. Drive calmly and do not speed as it is not life threatening nor does it cause brain damage.

Febrile fits may be triggered by fever caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract or ear, or less commonly meningitis. A proper diagnosis should be carried out. It occurs usually in children between 9 months and 5 years of age. There is a tendency of it being inherited from the family.

Parents have to be extra careful to prevent another attack. Be alert if your child seems less active and moody. Get a good thermometer that gives accurate and quick measurements. Check and monitor your child's temperature closely. If your child had febrile fits before, take action 0.5ºC lower. Give syrup paracetamol if above 37.5ºC (instead of 38.0ºC). Give a diclofenac sodium suppository at 38.5ºC (instead of 39.0ºC).

Although not life threatening nor does it causing brain damage, febrile fits in children will always be a frightening experience for parents. However, it is good that parents get some awareness to be prepared mentally and to administer the necessary first aid.