Epilepsy is contagious.
Reality
It is a neurological condition and cannot be caught from another person.
Knowledge changes lives
See the person.
Understand epilepsy.
The right information can reduce fear, prevent harm during a seizure and challenge the stigma that keeps people silent.
70%could live seizure-free with appropriate diagnosis and treatment
All agescan be affected by this neurological condition
Not contagiousepilepsy cannot pass from one person to another
Understanding the condition
A seizure is an event. Epilepsy is a neurological condition.
Epilepsy is a chronic condition of the brain characterised by recurrent seizures. Seizures result from temporary bursts of excessive electrical activity in brain cells.
They do not all look alike. A person may briefly lose awareness, appear confused, experience unusual sensations or have movements involving part or all of the body. One seizure alone does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy.
Diagnosis and treatment should always be guided by a qualified medical professional. Many people can achieve good seizure control with the right treatment plan.
Seizure first aid
Stay calm. Keep the person safe. Stay with them.
Most seizures stop on their own after a few minutes. Simple, calm actions can protect the person while the seizure runs its course.
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What to do
- 01
Stay and time the seizure. Note when it begins and how long it lasts.
- 02
Clear nearby hazards. Cushion the head and loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- 03
Turn them gently onto one side when possible, keeping the airway clear.
- 04
Reassure them afterward. Stay until they are alert and know where they are.
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What not to do
- 01
Do not restrain movement or try to hold the person down.
- 02
Do not put anything in the mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue.
- 03
Do not give food, water or medicine until the person is fully alert.
- 04
Do not give mouth-to-mouth breaths during the seizure.
Seek emergency medical help when
The seizure lasts longer than five minutes, another seizure follows soon after, breathing or waking is difficult, an injury occurs, the seizure happens in water, the person is pregnant, or it is their first known seizure.
Myth / reality
Replace fear with facts.
Misunderstanding can be more limiting than epilepsy itself. These are conversations every community should be able to have.
Every seizure involves falling and shaking.
Reality
Some seizures appear as brief confusion, staring, unusual sensations or small movements.
People with epilepsy cannot lead normal lives.
Reality
With appropriate care and reasonable safety planning, people participate in education, work, family and community life.
You should force something into the mouth.
Reality
This can cause serious injury. Keep the area safe and never put an object in the person’s mouth.
Beyond seizure control
Inclusion is part of care.
People may hide epilepsy when applying to school, starting work or discussing marriage because they fear rejection. A supportive response begins by listening, learning and avoiding assumptions about what a person can do.
- Ask the person what support is useful
- Respect privacy and avoid labels
- Learn seizure first aid as a group
- Judge ability by the individual, not the diagnosis
Health information sources: World Health Organization — Epilepsy fact sheet ↗CDC — First Aid for Seizures ↗ILAE — Definition of Epilepsy ↗
This page provides general awareness information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.Bring awareness closer
Help your school, workplace or community respond with confidence.
Sanvedana offers awareness programs that make epilepsy easier to understand and stigma easier to challenge.
Talk to our team