Every year on 22nd February, World Encephalitis Day shines a light on a condition many people have never heard of. A staggering 77% of people worldwide do not know what encephalitis is – yet it affects 1.5 million people globally every year, including over 6,000 children in the UK.
So, what is encephalitis?
Encephalitis = inflammation of the brain (pronounced en-kef-uh-ly-tis). It can be caused by:
- A virus
- An infection (infectious encephalitis)
- The body’s immune system becoming confused and attacking the brain (autoimmune encephalitis or post-infectious encephalitis)
Encephalitis is life-threatening and can have severe, lifelong consequences, often leading to an acquired brain injury (ABI). It can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity which is why early recognition and treatment are vital in saving lives and improving long-term outcomes.
A Special Partnership: CBIT & The Eden Dora Trust
This World Encephalitis Day is especially significant as it marks the 11th birthday of The Eden Dora Trust for Children with Encephalitis. The charity was founded by a mum whose six-year-old daughter became critically ill with encephalitis and has grown into the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting children and families affected by childhood encephalitis. To find out more about the charity and about childhood encephalitis, please click here.
At the Child Brain Injury Trust, we are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with The Eden Dora Trust. Thanks to their generous funding and shared commitment to raising awareness, we have been able to provide vital free training and education for professionals working with children and families. This essential CPD training has helped schools, healthcare professionals, and other frontline workers better understand childhood ABI and encephalitis, ensuring that young people receive the appropriate care and support they need.
We look forward to continuing this partnership and making an even bigger impact in the years to come.
Spotting the Early Signs of Encephalitis
Because encephalitis can develop quickly, knowing the warning signs can make all the difference. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek medical help immediately:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty staying awake
- Seizures or fits
- Weakness or loss of movement
- Sensitivity to light
- Slurred speech or difficulty communicating
- Changes in behaviour or personality
It’s harder to detect some of these symptoms in babies and small children, but important signs to look for include:
- crying that doesn’t stop or that seems worse when an infant is picked up or handled
- vomiting
- a full or bulging soft spot (fontanelle)
- body stiffness
Autoimmune Encephalitis symptoms can often mimic psychiatric disorders. There is often a longer onset than that seen in Encephalitis of infectious causes. Symptoms may vary depending on the cause but may include confusion, altered personality or behaviour and psychosis.
Early recognition and swift medical treatment can save lives and improve recovery outcomes.
Spread the Word
Encephalitis is not just difficult to pronounce – it’s also easy to overlook.
This World Encephalitis Day, we encourage you to help spread awareness. Share this post, learn the signs, and support the amazing work done by The Eden Dora Trust for Children with Encephalitis and the Child Brain Injury Trust.
Together, we can help ensure that every child affected by encephalitis receives the care, support, and understanding they deserve.
Wishing a happy 11th birthday to our friends at The Eden Dora Trust – here’s to many more years of making a difference to families affected by childhood ABI!
Upcoming Workshop: Understanding Childhood Acquired Brain Injury
Join us for our CPD accredited workshop, Understanding Childhood Acquired Brain Injury, designed for professionals working with children affected by ABI.
This in-person workshop is taking place in Bristol on Thursday, 20th March 2025 and is free to attend thanks to the generous funding provided by The Eden Dora Trust for Children with Encephalitis.
Gain expert insights, practical strategies, and valuable resources to better support children in your care. Spaces are limited—register now!