World Encephalitis Day 2019

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.

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

We will be unveiling our plans for World Encephalitis Day in the weeks and months leading up to World Encephalitis Day.

*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+).

BrainWalk

Download our BrainWalk app and join us in a virtual journey to key locations around the globe for World Encephalitis DayRead 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 awarenessRead more

WED - a history

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

WED resources

Resources to help you with fundraising and raising awareness of World Encephalitis Day 2019Read more

Latest

House of Lords hosts Encephalitis Society for World Encephalitis Day launch

The Encephalitis Society visited the House of Lords to kick start our countdown to World Encephalitis Day 2019 and launch #BrainWalk, our award-winning smartphone App

Aoife's Story

Aoife, 14, from Dublin was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in 2016. Her mum, Louise, tells her story.

Hazel's Story

"I am more than my brain injury. I am, a business owner, a leader, an achiever, a volunteer, a sister, a granddaughter, a daughter, I am a survivor." Hazel, from New Zealand, was affected by encephalitis in 2010. Read her story.

#Red4WED World Encephalitis Day t-shirts now available

We are delighted to reveal the #Red4WED t-shirts for World Encephalitis Day 2019

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.

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.

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.