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Encephalitis International

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is caused either by an infection invading the brain (infectious encephalitis) or through the immune system attacking the brain in error (post-infectious or autoimmune encephalitis).

1.5M

People are affected by encephalitis globally each year

78%

of people across the world do not know what encephalitis is

224M

People reached during our 2024 World Encephalitis Day campaign

Your Stories

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Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Lived Experience - Alice's Story

I was a healthy 27 year old woman who loved paddled boarding and aerial circus prior to being diagnosed with Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis. I was on a weekend away with my mother and partner in England and complained of sore ears. Later that night I took my first seizure and an ambulance was called! My symptoms began suddenly, manifesting with seizures, manic psychotic episodes, hallucinations, agitation and oral facial dyskinesia.

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Tick-Borne Encephalitis Lived Experience - Antti's Story

I got tick-borne encephalitis in autumn 2023, here some memories and insights of the complex journey with the disease. The whole thing started in a Teams meeting with a customer. I suddenly felt quite nauseous and had to close the meeting early, started to vomit and horrible headache begun. Luckily, I was at home and my wife came soon to check my situation. Later, I heard that she took me to an emergency unit at the University center hospital next day when my fever raised up to 41 ˚C – I don’t have any clear memories of that.

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Anti-GAD Encephalitis Lived Experience - Alison's Story

Alison shares her experience of Anti-GAD encephalitis and how she went on to raise funds through her gym, Life’s Peachy’ Fitness for Encephalitis International. I started falling sick in April 2024 after my husband came home from a work trip with stomach bug. He was better within 24-48 hours while I got progressively more unwell. I […]

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One person is diagnosed with encephalitis every minute.

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The above number reflects how many people have been diagnosed so far this year.
Support us so they don’t have to face that diagnosis alone.

Donate

Make a donation today

One person is diagnosed with encephalitis every minute, and life for them and their family will never be the same again. Make a donation today and help us build a world without death and disability from encephalitis.

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Upcoming Events

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Family Resilience Day

UK in person event. Please join the Encephalitis International staff team and community at our Family Resilience Day Date:  Saturday 13 September 2025 Aston University Students Union, Birmingham, UK This event is aimed at families who child/young adult has been affected by encephalitis.  We will be launching our new reviewed educational resources for primary and […]

13 September 2025
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People in an auditorium

My Brain & Medicine - New York, United States

Please note this is a FREE in-person event only for patients, family members and caregivers. My Brain & Medicine Venue: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 50 Haven_Suite 109 , New York, NY 10032, United States Room:  50 Haven Ballroom (in the Lower Level) Friday 26 September 2025 – 13.00 – 18.00hrs (Eastern Time) Sessions to […]

26 September 2025
Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 50 Haven_Suite 109 , New York, NY 10032, United States
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My Brain My Story 2025

Please note My Brain : My Story is a hybrid event (in-person and virtual via Zoom) We would love you to join us in York, England, – or virtually – at My Brain : My Story on Saturday 4 October 2025. This event is a hybrid event for anyone who wants to listen to the […]

4 October 2025
The Grand, Station Rise, York, YO1 6JD
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Page Created: 3 October 2023
Last Modified: 3 June 2025
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