Epilepsy is being painted as a highly contagious disease. It is said to spread through saliva, urine, blood, and even faeces [7–9]. This is the reason persons with epilepsy may not get help while having a seizure. The ictal period is supposedly the stage when such a person is most infectious.

How can you trigger epilepsy?

Missed medication, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and menstruation are some of the most common triggers, but there are many more. Flashing lights can cause seizures in some people, but its much less frequent than you might imagine.

Can you get epilepsy from someone else?

Epilepsy is not contagious (you cant catch it from someone who has it). Its not passed down through families (inherited) in the same way that blue eyes or brown hair are. But someone who has a close relative with epilepsy has a slightly higher risk for it than somebody with no family history of seizures.

What is a mini seizure?

A partial (focal) seizure happens when unusual electrical activity affects a small area of the brain. When the seizure does not affect awareness, it is known as a simple partial seizure. Simple partial seizures can be: Motor - affecting the muscles of the body.