Factsheets

The Encephalitis Society produces a wide range of factsheets aimed at people affected by encephalitis, their families, friends, carers, professionals involved in their care and anybody interested in encephalitis and its consequences.

They are available in different format: electronic (website pages and PDFs on the Encephalitis explained section of the website) and paper copy on request from our office. All our factsheets are accredited by The Information Standard, a certification scheme supported by the NHS England.

We produce factsheets on following topics:

symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
types of encephalitis
effects of encephalitis: cognitive, emotional, behavioural, physical and social
returning to work or education

Please see below an alphabetical list of our factsheets:

Latest

Royal award for Professor Peter Kennedy

Professor Peter Kennedy honoured with RSE Royal Medal, awarded on the authority of Her Majesty The Queen
Childhood psychological adjustment following parental brain injury: the role of loss, trauma and parental grief
Seed funding Columbia University, USA

Awarded in 2020, this study will elucidate possible routes of CNS infection by the virus and identify brain regions and cell types most vulnerable to either direct infection or the effects of systemic cytokines.
SEED FUNDING Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA

Awarded in 2020, this pilot study aims to dissect the mechanisms through which subsets of neurons, specifically dopamine neurons, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Royal award for Professor Peter Kennedy

Professor Peter Kennedy honoured with RSE Royal Medal, awarded on the authority of Her Majesty The Queen
Newsletter - Autumn 2020

Our autumn newsletter is now available to read
Encephalitis Support Forum

We are trialing an online community where members of the Encephalitis Society can connect and support others who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis
Help us light up global landmarks for World Encephalitis Day

We need your help to turn global landmarks red on World Encephalitis Day 2021
The law and its role in a pandemic world

Dr Ava Easton speaks to Anne Cassidy, a partner at Moore Barlow LLP, about the law and encephalitis patients and how it is operating during the Covid-19 pandemic
Podcasts

The Encephalitis Podcast is brought to you by the Encephalitis Society and covers everything to do with inflammation of the brain.
Facebook support groups

We have created two support groups for 13-17 year-olds and 18-25 year-olds. Find our more and join today.
Newsletter - Summer 2020

Our summer newsletter is now available to read!
An interview with Dr Ava Easton - podcast

Dr Ava Easton is put under the microscope by our Ambassador Simon Hattenstone, features writer at the Guardian.
Connect Professional - Summer 2020

The summer 2020 edition of Connect Professional, our newsletter for healthcare professionals, is now available to read.

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.