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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.

The sixth annual World Encephalitis Day is led by the Encephalitis Society and will celebrate and honour the millions of people affected by encephalitis across the world.

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?

Join us in raising awareness of encephalitis on World Encephalitis Day on Friday, 22 February.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Take part in BrainWalk and join us in our digital walk around the world!

Go #RED4WED on World Encephalitis Day

Hand out our official Put it On… Pass it On wristbands to people who are unaware of encephalitis.

Join us on the Big Red Bus or hold your own World Encephalitis Day get together in support of the Encephalitis Society.

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

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.

*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’.

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 Day Read more

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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.