Information for teachers

Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff

The long-term prognosis for children after encephalitis varies considerably. In some instances, children come through the illness with little or no consequences. In others, children have considerable life-long difficulties or appear to have recovered well, but their future learning and personal development are affected.

Returning to school after encephalitis is a very important step in the child’s recovery from encephalitis, in terms of both their social and educational reintegration. However, sometimes returning to school is a continuous battle to get the right services for the child at the right time. This guidance aims to help school staff understand that encephalitis changes lives and that their support is essential in helping the child and their family have an enjoyable and successful return to school.

The guidance covers information about encephalitis and the difficulties that may result from it. Various specific needs are described individually for clarity but of course their combined effect must be considered with care. There is also advice about how school staff can plan and implement the provision needed to meet the child’s needs.

We hope that this guidance is useful, but schools will also require specific and detailed information about the child that is their concern. Teachers need to take great care and consideration in helping fellow pupils understand the child’s needs so the risk of bullying and social isolation is minimised. In all circumstances, deciding how best to meet the needs of a child with acquired brain injury (ABI) is often complex and demanding—information and decision-making need to be very explicit, evaluated and passed on with care.

A summary of this guidance (Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff. A summary)
is also available. With the ever increasing workload in school, we understand that teachers have limited time, therefore such summary guidance can be useful for an overview on encephalitis and its impact on learning before the more in depth knowledge discussed in the full guidance is required.

Download a PDF Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff

Download a PDF Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff. A summary

Request a paper copy from our office.

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Returning to School after Encephalitis: Guidance for School Staff was Highly Commended in the BMA Patient Information Awards 2018

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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.
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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.
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Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.
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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.