Nearly 3 million U.S. adults have epilepsy, according to the CDC, but many people don’t know much about this brain disease and the seizures it can cause. In honor of Epilepsy Awareness Month, we have an expert explaining what to do when someone is having a seizure.

Epilepsy affects the central nervous system and causes seizures. He says it’s especially important to take COVID-19 precautions if you have epilepsy and comorbidities, for example if you’re a smoker, have hypertension or obesity. According to Dr. Hantus, what’s interesting about COVID-19 is that it can actually induce seizures in those who don’t have epilepsy. “We’re not exactly sure how COVID causes seizures,” he said. He says some people might be scared they’ll contract COVID-19, but most medical offices have safety measures in place to help prevent that.