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Seizures - Emergencies

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Step Two

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 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).

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 17, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.