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Encephalitis International

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is caused either by an infection invading the brain (infectious encephalitis) or through the immune system attacking the brain in error (post-infectious or autoimmune encephalitis).

1.5M

People are affected by encephalitis globally each year

78%

of people across the world do not know what encephalitis is

224M

People reached during our 2024 World Encephalitis Day campaign

Your Stories

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Autoimmune Encephalitis Lived Experience - Diane's Story

Diane had auto-immune encephalitis in 2018, when she was 15 which encompassed months in a semi-coma state where she couldn’t talk, walk, eat or see due to complete vision loss from high intracranial pressure.

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Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Lived Experience - Roz's Story

Roz, who was affected twice by anti NMDAR encephalitis while completing her secondary education, shares her story with us. The video was filmed as part of our My Brain and Me Project.

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Meningoencephalitis Lived Experience - Kristen's Story

In May of 2023 I started with a very high fever. I passed it off as normal; as I got sick very often, just had pneumonia a month prior. I work with young children which I believe weakened my immune system over the years. I’d only travelled out of the country 8 months ago but was otherwise fine. After day 2, the fever wasn't subsiding and came out in a red rash in my extremities, prompting me to go to a doctor.

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One person is diagnosed with encephalitis every minute.

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The above number reflects how many people have been diagnosed so far this year.
Support us so they don’t have to face that diagnosis alone.

Donate

Make a donation today

One person is diagnosed with encephalitis every minute, and life for them and their family will never be the same again. Make a donation today and help us build a world without death and disability from encephalitis.

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Upcoming Events

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My Brain My Story 2025

Please note My Brain : My Story is a hybrid event (in-person and virtual via Zoom) We would love you to join us in York, England, – or virtually – at My Brain : My Story on Saturday 4 October 2025. This event is a hybrid event for anyone who wants to listen to the […]

4 October 2025
The Grand, Station Rise, York, YO1 6JD
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Encephalitis 2025 - Registration

3rd and 4th December 2025 Royal College of Physicians, London and virtually Registrations are now open! (in-person and virtual tickets are available) Book your tickets here ENCEPHALITIS 2025 is an excellent forum for physicians, scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to exchange ideas, knowledge and clinical experience relating to encephalitis. You can join us in-person at […]

3 - 4 December 2025
Hybrid
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Page Created: 3 October 2023
Last Modified: 8 May 2025
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