At what temperature should a child with a history of febrile seizures take antipyretic medication when they have a fever?

Generally, children with a history of febrile seizures should take antipyretic medication as directed by a physician when their fever exceeds 38°C. Details are as follows:

Febrile seizures refer to seizure episodes in children triggered by high fever. Typically, febrile seizures tend to occur when a child's body temperature exceeds 39°C. For children with a history of febrile seizures, parents should promptly initiate cooling measures once fever develops to prevent recurrence of seizures. If the child’s temperature is not very high, physical cooling methods such as tepid sponging or cold compresses may be used to help control the fever. Generally, children without a seizure history are advised to take antipyretics as prescribed when fever exceeds 38.5°C; however, for those with a history of febrile seizures, antipyretics are generally recommended when fever exceeds 38°C to reduce the risk of another seizure episode. It is important to choose safe and effective antipyretic medications for these children. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) are commonly used antipyretics for children. However, even with safe medications, they must be administered according to medical instructions and proper dosage guidelines—never adjust the dose arbitrarily.

Parents should understand the correct use of antipyretic drugs and seek timely medical attention when necessary to ensure the child’s health.