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Febrile seizures are the most common seizures in children. These seizures are different from epilepsy and are generally harmless. However, because epilepsy also often attacks children, parents need to understand the difference between these two diseases.

When a child has a seizure, his limbs will shake violently or jerk strongly. The child's level of awareness will also decrease and his eyes look upward. Some children also unconsciously urinate or defecate when having a seizure.

Febrile seizures or step diseases are seizures that are triggered by fever and are not caused by disorders of the brain. This is different from epilepsy. In epilepsy or epilepsy, seizures are caused by electrical current disruption in the brain and can occur repeatedly even though there is no fever.

Differences in Fever and Epilepsy Seizures in Age

Febrile seizures commonly occur when children are 6 months to 5 years old. Even so, there are some children who experience febrile seizures before the age of 3 months or after the age of 6 years. However, this condition usually becomes less common as the child ages.

In contrast to febrile seizures, epilepsy can be experienced by anyone regardless of age, ranging from children, adolescents, adults, to the elderly. Children who suffer from epilepsy may continue to experience it until adolescence or adulthood.

Difference in Fever and Epilepsy Seizures in Terms of Causes

Febrile seizures and epilepsy are caused by different things. Febrile seizures are not caused by brain disorders, but are triggered by body temperature rising more than 38 ⁰ Celsius.

This increase in body temperature can be caused by reactions after immunization, bacterial infections, or viral infections, such as influenza or measles viruses. However, infections that cause fever in cases of febrile seizures are not infections in areas of the brain such as meningitis.

While in epilepsy, there are disorders in the brain. Nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body communicate with each other using electrical impulses. When this communication process is interrupted, uncontrolled movements can occur in the form of seizures.

In contrast to febrile seizures which have an obvious cause, namely fever, seizures in epilepsy are generally uncertain and can occur at any time.

Difference in Fever and Epilepsy Seizures in Terms of Symptoms

Febrile seizures can be divided into simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures. In simple febrile seizures, jerking occurs in all parts of the body, but does not last more than 15 minutes and does not recur within 24 hours.

In complex febrile seizures, jerking movements usually start in one part of the body, last more than 15 minutes, or occur over a 24 hour period.

For epilepsy, the symptoms that appear can vary from one patient to another, depending on the part of the brain that is disrupted. Seizures in epilepsy can be jerking movements throughout the body or only on some parts of the body. These seizures can be accompanied by loss of consciousness or fainting disorders, may or may not.

Some people with epilepsy also experience an aura just prior to a seizure. Some examples of aura in epilepsy are smelling strange odors, daydreaming or sudden falls, feeling scared, excited, numb, tingling, or feeling certain limbs becoming bigger or smaller (Alice in Wonderland syndrome) ).

Differences in Fever and Epilepsy Seizures from the Treatment Side

When a child with a history of febrile seizures has a fever, parents can give them fever-lowering drugs. If a seizure has arisen, there is no special treatment that needs to be done other than protecting the child from injury, because a febrile seizure will generally stop on its own in a short time.

However, if the seizure lasts more than 3-5 minutes, parents are advised to give anti-seizure medication through the rectum and immediately take the child to the nearest hospital or clinic. Beyond fever and seizures, there is no specific drug that needs to be taken every day.

It's different with epilepsy sufferers. People with epilepsy need to take antiepileptic drugs regularly every day so that the drug levels in the body remain stable to reduce the frequency of recurrence of seizures.

If the patient who regularly takes the drug has not had a seizure for several years, the doctor may stop giving the medicine. However, if seizures continue to occur frequently, your doctor may change the drug or suggest surgery to repair the part of the brain that is disturbed.

Differences in Fever and Epilepsy Seizures in Complications

Febrile seizures generally do not have serious health effects. Simple febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, decreased intelligence, or disruption in learning.

However, a study shows that about 2–10% of children who have had a febrile seizure can experience epilepsy later in life. This generally occurs in children who have a history of developmental disorders, premature birth, recurrent seizures, or abnormal electroencephalographic (EEG) results.

While in epilepsy, serious disorders can occur if not handled properly. Epilepsy can increase the risk of children experiencing learning difficulties, mood disorders, and several other psychological disorders.

Febrile seizures are seizures that are triggered by fever and generally do not cause harmful effects, whereas epilepsy is a more serious condition where seizures can occur repeatedly even if the child does not have a fever.

If your child has signs of epilepsy, has a febrile seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or has a seizure for the first time, you are advised to take it immediately to the doctor so that it can be examined and given appropriate treatment.

Written by:

dr. Irene Cindy Sunur

Label : Health cat_Health