Helpline +44(0)1653 699599
Encephalitis International - The brain inflammation charity
Donate Join Us

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).

Find Out More

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

See all
Julian shares his experience of viral encephalitis

Viral Encephalitis Lived Experience — Julian's Story

During the following 2 weeks, the doctors had spirited debates about the nature of my illness. At first, it was whether I had brain leukaemia or viral encephalitis. Then, when the evidence ruled out leukaemia, it was which type of viral encephalitis; they never found out, with all the tests coming back inconclusive. All the same, there were no known treatments for most types of viral encephalitis. I was given herpes antivirals as a Hail Mary. All anyone could do was wait and see. My body and my brain were the deciding factors now.

Read Story
Kellie and her daughter, Arwen, who was diagnosed with autoimmune encephaltis

Autoimmune Encephalitis Lived Experience — Kellie's Story

In late December 2022, Kellie's world was turned upside down when Arwen became seriously unwell. She was diagnosed in early January 2023 with Autoimmune Encephalitis, and thanks to the quick thinking of her paediatrician, she was transferred to a specialist hospital for the correct treatment.

Read Story

VZV Encephalitis Lived Experience — Tim H's Story

Tim, a father of two young children, felt like he was suffering from flu after a short holiday with his family. He began to feel worse and started to hallucinate. The doctors diagnosed him VZV encephalitis. Here he shares his story.

Read Story

One person is diagnosed with encephalitis every minute.

6
7
3
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

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.

Donate
High five

Upcoming Events

See all

World Encephalitis Day Alliance 2025 - Conference & Conversations (In Person event only)

3 days of inspiring talks, networking, and thought-provoking discussions in person (cannot be attended virtually) Come join us at the Kinne Auditorim, Mayo Building, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Fl for a three day event filled with insightful sessions, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect with others that have been affected by encephalitis. The WEDA 2025 event […]

7 - 9 February 2025
Mayo Building, Mayo Clinic, 14301 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224
View Event

Anti NMDA Encephalitis Webinar - patient event (online)

Please note that this is an online event aimed at patients and their caregivers/families. Invited Speaker: Associate Professor Stacey Clardy Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, US. The webinar will consist of a 30 minute presentation by Dr Stacey Clardy following by a 20 minute Q&A. There will be an opportunity […]

19 March 2025
Online
View Event

My Brain & Medicine 2025

  My Brain & Medicine 2025 – Registration is now open (virtual event) Join us online for a patient event where we will be joined by a host of professional and lived experience speakers. The presentations are aimed at patients, carers and family members with an interest with encephalitis. Starting on Monday, April 28, 2025 at […]

28 April 2025
View Event
Institute of Fundraising
AMRC
Fundraising Regulator Logo
PayPal Logo
Living Wage Foundation Logo
Lottery Funded
Cyber Essentials Certified
Disability Confident Employer
Page Created: 3 October 2023
Last Modified: 6 January 2025

You can support our work for free by joining our mailing list

By joining our community we have strength in numbers – this helps us get funding and shows our impact to organisations like the World Health Organization – plus you get to stay up to date with the latest research, events and news!
Main Menu
Shop Donate Join Us
Need help?
Call our helpline on:
+44 (0) 1653 699 599
Or email:
support@encephalitis.info