World Encephalitis Day

WHAT IS WORLD ENCEPHALITIS DAY?

World Encephalitis Day on February 22 is a global awareness day where individuals and families affected by encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) come together to shine a light on the condition.

It is led by the Encephalitis Society and is designed to celebrate and honour the millions of people affected by encephalitis across the world.

The sixth annual World Encephalitis Day in 2019 reached 49.5 million people in 189 countries through traditional and social media.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Seventy eight per cent of people across the world do not know what encephalitis is.*

This is something we MUST change to achieve our vision of a world which is aware of encephalitis, its consequences and the support available.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

We need you to help us in raising awareness of encephalitis on World Encephalitis Day on Friday, 22 February.

You are our most important resource. You have the power to help us bring about change and save lives.

Please become a free member to keep up to date with news about World Encephalitis Day.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 SPONSORS

This project is also supported by a charitable donation from Pfizer Ltd.

You can help us move towards a world aware of encephalitis by making a £10 donation to support World Encephalitis Day today. Thank you. Donate Now

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 6,867 adults in the UK, USA, Germany, India and Australia. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th – 23rd July 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+).

Encephalitis Facts & Figures

Some facts and figures about encephalitis for World Encephalitis Day Read more

Put It On... Pass It On wristbands

Raise awareness by handing out official Put It On... Pass It On wristbands and telling people about encephalitis and what it means to you. Read more

RED4WED

Wear something red on World Encephalitis Day to help us raise awareness Read more

WED - a history

Take a look at how we celebrated World Encephalitis Day in years gone by Read more

World Encephalitis Day 2019

Take a look back at World Encephalitis Day 2019 on February 22 Read more

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Katharina's story

Katharina was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis over two years ago. She reflects on her illness and what life is like for her today

our volunteers

Get to know some members of Team Encephalitis, our volunteer scheme.

Yvonne's story

Yvonne, a mum and an English teacher, had no memory of her daughter and was unable to write basic sentences when she fell ill with encephalitis in 2013. This is her story.

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.

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.

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.