Wed2018

What is World Encephalitis Day?

World Encephalitis Day on February 22 is the global awareness day for people who have been affected by encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It was founded by The Encephalitis Society in 2014 and has subsequently helped to raise awareness among millions of people.

Why is it important?

Eight out of 10 people across the world do not know what encephalitis is *. That is a startling figure which we are determined to change if we are 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 join us by raising awareness of encephalitis in the run up to and on World Encephalitis Day on Thursday, February 22.

You can take part in BrainWalk by downloading the App to your smart phone
Wear something red and go #RED4WED on World Encephalitis Day
Get involved by holding a fundraising event, supporting us on social media or making a donation.
Spare a few seconds to sign up to Thunderclap and help us send a message to millions of social media users on February 22.

If you have any questions about World Encephalitis Day, please get in contact

Who are we?

The Encephalitis Society is the only resource of its kind in the world providing direct support and information to individuals and families affected by encephalitis.

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

We are grateful to wearelumiere.com for their continued support of this project.

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Sample sizes and 2017 field work dates varied according to country (Five countries were surveyed: UK, USA, Germany, India, and Australia). By people we mean adults (aged 18+) in the general public. The 8 out of 10 people statistic is a mean of the five countries surveyed and was calculated by The Encephalitis Society by identifying incorrect answers to the YouGov Plc survey question ‘in your own words, please type in the box below what you understand the word encephalitis to be/mean’ and reflecting this information in a recalculation of YouGov Plc’s question ‘yes I have heard of encephalitis and know what is it’.

BrainWalk

Download the BrainWalk app and walk the globe with us for World Encephalitis DayRead more

Get Involved

Whether it is following us on social media, holding a fundraising event or making a donation - there are many ways to support World Encephalitis DayRead more

RED4WED

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

WED resources

Resources to help you with fundraising and raising awareness of World Encephalitis Day 2018Read more

WED: Through the Years

Take a look at how we marked World Encephalitis Day in years pastRead more

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What is encephalitis?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Japanese encephalitis

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

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis

Anti-NMDAR 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.

Get support (now)

Our Helpline is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis

Encephalitis-guidelines for travellers

With increasing numbers of people travelling worldwide and the international spread of viruses (e.g. Zika virus), it is important to highlight the risk of infectious encephalitis and their preventive measures.

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.