# Is Huntington's disease contagious? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/is-huntingtons-disease-contagious Language: en Category: neurology Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.155Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.155Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/is-huntingtons-disease-contagious Huntington's disease is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another through direct or indirect contact, unlike viral or bacterial diseases. It is a genetic disorder resulting from a genetic mutation that is passed down through families [\[1\]](). ## What is Huntington's disease? Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that leads to the breakdown of nerve cells in certain areas of the brain, particularly those that control voluntary movement [\[2\]](). This breakdown causes symptoms including involuntary movements (chorea), emotional issues, and a decline in cognitive abilities, such as thinking and decision-making [\[1\]](). Symptoms typically appear in adulthood, between the thirties and forties, but there is a rare form called juvenile Huntington's disease that begins in childhood or adolescence [\[1\]](). ## How is Huntington's disease transmitted? Huntington's disease is inherited from parents to children [\[2\]](). The disease occurs due to a mutation in a specific gene responsible for producing the huntingtin protein (HTT) [\[2\]](). This mutation consists of an abnormal repetition of a specific DNA sequence (CAG) [\[2\]](). If a person has 36 or more repeats of this sequence, they will develop the disease [\[2\]](). Inheritance in Huntington's disease is autosomal dominant, which means a child only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene from one biological parent to develop the disease [\[1\]](). If one parent has Huntington's disease, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated gene and consequently developing the disease [\[2\]](). If the child does not inherit the mutated gene, they will not develop the disease and will not be able to pass it on to future generations [\[2\]](). ## Diagnosis and Genetic Testing Huntington's disease is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, a neurological examination, family history, and laboratory tests [\[2\]](). Genetic testing is considered the most accurate method to confirm the diagnosis, where the number of CAG repeats in the HTT gene is counted from a blood sample [\[2\]](). Prenatal testing can also be performed for individuals who have a family history of the disease and wish to know the risk of passing it on to their children [\[2\]](). ## Managing Life with the Disease Although there is currently no cure to stop or reverse the progression of Huntington's disease, treatments are available to manage the symptoms [\[2\]](). These treatments include medications that help control involuntary movements (chorea), as well as medications that treat psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety [\[2\]](). Doctors may also recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help patients cope with daily challenges [\[2\]](). More information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and managing life with this disease can be found by visiting [Huntington's disease: Symptoms, diagnosis, and management (Arabic)](). It is important for people with a family history of Huntington's disease to speak with a healthcare professional or a genetic counselor to discuss potential risks and available testing options [\[2\]](). This can help them make informed decisions regarding their health and their family's health. ## Medical references - [Huntington disease]() - [Huntington's Disease]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/is-huntingtons-disease-contagious#answer