Our previous events

Encephalitis Society - 25th anniversary

The Encephalitis Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party in central London on June 20. Read more and see all the photographs. Read more

My Brain & Medicine 2019

The third annual My Brain & Medicine was held at the Royal Society of Medicine in April, 2019 Read more

Encephalitis Conference 2018

Around 100 healthcare professionals joined us in London for the Encephalitis Conference 2018. Read more

My Brain: My Story 2018

Edinburgh in Scotland was the setting for our first ever My Brain: My Story member event Read more

My Brain: My Family

London Fire Brigade Museum, Lambeth, hosted My Brain: My Family - our family fun and resilience day Read more

Brain on Fire film premiere 2016

We visited the Toronto International Film Festival for the big screen premiere of Susannah Cahalan's Brain on Fire Read more

Tracing Grace 2016

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

The Retreat 2016

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

Latest

The Global Challenge of Vector Borne Diseases

Examine the global challenge of vector-borne diseases and how vector control practices can reduce the risk to public health.

Mark's story

Mark became ill with viral encephalitis caused by the Epstein Bar Virus when he was a rugby mad 17-year-old. He reflects on his journey 16 years later.

Richard's story

"Before encephalitis, I cried perhaps a handful of times in my adult life. Of all the changes that encephalitis has brought into my life, crying frequently is not one that I am sorry about."

Natasha was a happy and health toddler when she fell ill with encephalitis in 1996. She talks about her recovery, the guilt she sometimes feels, and coming to terms with the impact that encephalitis has had on her.

NMDAR antibody encephalitis

NMDAR antibody 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.

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.

What is encephalitis?

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

West Nile encephalitis

West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.

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.

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.

Japanese encephalitis

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

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.

Death from encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.

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.