Strange behaviour at night when feverish

[avah88]

Does anyone else’s child do anything a bit odd overnight when they’re unwell with a fever? DS is 5.5 and when he has a fever (even a low level fever), he will often manically laugh in his sleep for a few seconds, then either wake up completely not fussed, or stay asleep. I can call him ‘out’ of the laughing, if I ask him a question loud enough he’ll wake up and respond. He never ever (touch wood) does it unless he’s got a fever, and he’s been this way for a few years now.

He’s also incredibly jerky and shakey when he has a fever at night. Again if it seems really bad I will say his name and he responds to me, I’m not sure if this would happen with a febrile convulsion? But all the same it’s quite horrid to see.

I’m on hold to the out of hours doctors as the last few hours have been particularly laughy/shaky/jerky, and it’s spooked me. His temp is low level high, and whilst he’s been unwell today he’s been eating/drinking/chatting.

Sounds pretty typical to me. I'm like this with a fever - will have conversations but not remember them, very vivid active dreams, sleep talking etc..

Yes, and talking in their sleep a lot

I used to be similiar when I was a child. I'd apparently talk utter nonsense and was once conducting a very earnest conversation with 'invisible' people which freaked my dad so much he dragged my GP Uncle out of bed.

I hope your son settles calmly and is ok. And get medical support if you are worried.

My husband is a nightmare for this, even with a slight temperature he gets quite delirious, has very vivid dreams, sleep talks etc. FIL is the same so I feel like there is probably some kind of genetic component. Our DC don’t seem to have inherited it though.

Mine saw “people in the walls” a couple of times when ill 😬

I used to get very delirious with a fever as a child. Thought the toiletries bottles in the bathroom were talking to me. Thought the lady on the news on the telly was scolding me with her tone of voice. I rambled absolute nonsense.