Seizures

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Breathing stops for longer than 30 seconds. After calling 911 or other emergency services, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• The seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes.
• Signs of a serious illness are present, such as:
  • Fever or shaking chills.
  • Severe headache with stiff neck, confusion, or irritability.
  • Very rapid, difficult breathing.
  • New, tiny purple or red spots (petechiae) on the skin or in the mouth.
  • Sudden increase in the number of bruises and how severe they are (purpura).
• More than one seizure occurs within 24 hours, even in a person who has a history of epilepsy.
• The person is still not responding normally 1 hour after the seizure and is:
  • Not fully awake.
  • Confused.
  • Sick to his or her stomach (nauseated) or vomiting.
  • Dizzy.
  • Unable to stand or walk.
• A seizure occurs after a sudden, severe headache.
• A seizure occurs with symptoms of a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke include:
  • Inability to move (paralysis) a part or all of one side of the body (such as the face, arm, or leg) or persistent numbness.
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Confusion or altered behavior, such as unusually aggressive or combative behavior.
  • Inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
  • Severe dizziness (vertigo) and vomiting.
• A seizure occurs after a head injury.
• A pregnant woman has a seizure.
• A person with diabetes has a seizure.
• A seizure occurs after eating or breathing poison.
• A seizure occurs after using an illegal drug.
• A seizure occurs after drinking a large amount of alcohol (alcohol poisoning).

Note:

For information about how to help a seizure victim, see protecting a person from harm during a seizure.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Note:

If your child is younger than 6 years, has a fever, and has had a seizure, go to the topic Fever Seizures.

Yes	Was this your first seizure?
Yes	Do you think your seizure was caused by a medicine?
Yes	Do you think that your seizure was caused by withdrawal from alcohol or a medicine, including an illegal drug?
Yes	Do you have epilepsy?
Yes	Do you think you may have had a seizure without loss of consciousness?
Yes	Do you have epilepsy and you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 17, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.