Previous events

Tracing Grace

Tracing Grace is the story of a young girl affected by encephalitis and the effect it has on her and her familyRead more

Saatchi Gallery Exhibition 2016

The Saatchi Gallery education centre was the fitting venue for our exhibition to celebrate the shortlisted in our World Encephalitis Day #ShowYouKnow competitionRead more

The Retreat 2016

Our 2016 Retreat saw 50 members descend on the Buckland Hall in the Brecon Beacons for a long bank holiday weekendRead more

Annual Members' Meeting 2016

We turned to York Racecourse for our 2016 Annual Members' Meeting which celebrated the theme, The Year of the Narrative.Read more

Life After Encephalitis - Guardian Book Launch 2016

Dr Ava Easton was guest of honour at the offices of The Guardian newspaper for the London launch of her new book, Life After EncephalitisRead more

#Cycle4Harry - Jon's cycling challenge

In May 2016, Support Coordinator Jon Ainley set out on a challenge to ride 270 miles in memory of his friend, Harry SwindlehurstRead more

The Queen's 90th birthday Beacon lighting

Local dignitaries joined us to celebrate the 90th birthday or Her Majesty The Queen at The Talbot Hotel on Thursday, April 21.Read more

Food for Thought weekend 2016

We began April 2016 with our Food for Thought weekender, including the launch of Life After Encephalitis, Chef's Table and Cookery SchoolRead more

21st Birthday Masquerade Party

Our Masquerade Party brought the curtain down on our 21st birthday celebrations in 2015Read more

Family Weekend 2015

Our 2015 Family Weekend welcomed 17 families to the Peak DistrictRead more

Latest

BACCN Conference

The 33rd Annual BACCN Conference will be welcoming the UK’s critical care nurses to Bournemouth.The conference title is “Sustainability in Excellence: The Future of Critical Care".

Tony's story

Tony talks about his journey after falling ill with autoimmune encephalitis in 2012 and coming to terms with the 'new me'

Wayne's Manx Mountain Marathon

Wayne Marshall, from Lancashire, battled his way to the finishing line of the 50km Manx Mountain Marathon for his father-in-law. Read his story.

Other ways to give

Explore the different ways you can make a donation to the Encephalitis Society and support our work

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.

Limbic encephalitis

The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.

Measles infection and encephalitis

Measles causes encephalitis in children with measles infection. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a very effective way to prevent against these diseases.

Guidelines for recovery

No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

Get support (now)

Our Helpline is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis

Encephalitis-guidelines for travellers

With increasing numbers of people travelling worldwide and the international spread of viruses (e.g. Zika virus), it is important to highlight the risk of infectious encephalitis and their preventive measures.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare condition, which is probably of autoimmune origin. The concept of HE is becoming fragmented into a number of other types of autoimmune encephalitis which appear to have their own autoantibodies, prognosis and associated features.