World Encephalitis Day

What is World Encephalitis Day?

World Encephalitis Day is the global awareness day for people who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis.

Founded by The Encephalitis Society in 2014, it is held on February 22 each year and has reached over 200 million people through media features, events and social media.

It is our hope that it will play a leading role in our mission to increase global awareness of encephalitis and therefore saving lives and building better futures.

World Encephalitis Day through the years

Encephalitis facts and figures

1. Lights

Help us to light up a landmark red for World Encephalitis Day on 22nd February 2021 Read more

2. Camera

Find out how you can go #Red4WED on World Encephalitis Day Read more

3. Action

Some of the other ways you can get involved with World Encephalitis Day. Read more

Latest

My Brain and Medicine 2022

Join the Encephalitis Society for our first hybrid My Brain and Medicine, Monday April 25, 2022. There will be talks by professionals working in the field of encephalitis and people who have been directly affected by encephalitis.
Giving Tuesday - celebrating the global day of giving
Managing emotional changes after encephalitis

Emotional changes are particularly common in life after encephalitis, feelings of grief and hopelessness can be part of the process of adjusting to the challenges you face.
Managing cognitive changes after encephalitis

Learning to manage changes in cognition after encephalitis means becoming more aware of how you think and feel, accepting your strengths and challenges without judgement and adopting new coping strategies.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Encephalitis:after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

This booklet provides key information about the type of issues that people may have after encephalitis, why rehabilitation/support from professionals and families are important and what options for self-help are available.
Emotional and behavioural changes

Following encephalitis, some people may experience emotional and behavioural changes including low mood, increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, frustration, aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and/or poor emotional regulation.
Japanese encephalitis

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