Can epilepsy be fatal?
Typically, the answer is no. In rare cases, a condition called status epilepticus can occur. This is when a person has continuous seizures for longer than 5 minutes without regaining consciousness. This is a true medical emergency and has the potential to be fatal. If you see this occur in your classroom, call 911 immediately. Thankfully, status epilepticus is not a common occurrence. More common is serious injury caused by hazards or accidents that occur when someone has a seizure unexpectedly in a potentially dangerous situation, such as while swimming or riding a bike.
