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The Encephalitis Society is an international resource for people affected by Encephalitis, offering support, information, awareness and research into the condition. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain which can be caused by everyday infections or the body’s immune system going wrong. 6000 people are diagnosed each year in the UK alone, up to a third die and often those who survive are left with some form of brain injury. Despite a higher incidence than Motor Neurone Disease and Bacterial Meningitis, most people haven’t heard of Encephalitis, leaving those affected and their loved ones in an isolating and often frightening place.

Encephalitis leaves people feeling uncertain, lost and afraid. We run a helpline providing NHS accredited information alongside a listening ear for people affected and their loved ones. We receive over 2500 contacts each year from individuals and their families in all stages of recovery and those that have been bereaved, looking for much needed answers. We have 21 years’ experience in ensuring those affected by this devastating condition are heard.

The Family Weekend and our Adult retreats alongside our support meetings bring people together in safe environments. All too often we see mental health problems emerge and family breakdown through lack of support and understanding. Our activities help people to create their own support networks, build confidence and self-esteem. 

We can’t always give those who contact us the answers they need about why their otherwise healthy young son died or why the infection entered the brain of their loved one. However we are collaborating on, and supporting research to help find those answers, and identify the best treatments and rehabilitation. We hope one day we can minimise and prevent this devastating condition.