Which phase serves as a warning sign before a seizure begins?

• A. Tonic phase
• B. Postictal phase
• C. Aura phase
• D. Tonic-clonic phase

Answer: (C)

An aura is the warning sign that signals a seizure is starting. It’s a subjective experience that the person feels or senses before the actual seizure unfolds, acting as a heads-up rather than the seizure itself. Auras can include unusual smells or tastes, déjà vu, sudden fear or anxiety, or a sense of dizziness, and they typically last seconds to a few minutes before the broader seizure activity progresses. This is different from the other phases: the tonic phase involves the stiffening of muscles during the seizure, the tonic-clonic phase is the full seizure with stiffening and jerking, and the postictal phase is the recovery period after the seizure ends.