What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention is related to the cause. For example, avoiding drug use can prevent cases due to overdose. Proper treatment of diabetes can prevent many cases due to this cause. Wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bike can prevent head injuries leading to coma. Following sports safety guidelines for children, adolescents, and adults can avoid unnecessary accidents. Many cases cannot be prevented.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Most people in a coma are at a high risk of death. A person may stay in a coma for weeks, months, or even years. Those who come out of the coma may be permanently disabled. In some cases, such as heroin overdose or out of control diabetes, treatment cures the coma and the person may have no long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

A coma is not contagious. If an infection is the cause of coma, the infection may sometimes be contagious.