This site serves encephalitis survivors and those with a loved one impacted by its aftermath. You’ll want to follow this site if you are looking for factual information about encephalitis, upcoming research or for reading the experience of those impacted by this cruel illness.

Encephalitis (swelling of the brain) can be caused by many things – bacteria, virus, a blow to the head … but unfortunately more than half of causes are unknown. It is an expensive illness – creating hospital costs of $2 billion a year in the U.S. alone. The residuals can financially ruin a family due to the wide range of neurological deficits resulting from encephalitis, a little-known brain injury.

According to the CDC, 75% of traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases are of mild severity, and are considered to have a good outcome within a few weeks. By contrast, all cases of encephalitis require a hospitalization, and encephalitis is considered to be in most cases a severe [brain injury]. And this illness strikes people of all ages and health 20,000 times a year in the U.S. – 500,000 globally.

A few facts about encephalitis:

• Delayed diagnosis can impact mortality
• No standardized treatment protocols exist today
• Roughly 20% of encephalitis victims die
• More than 50% never return to the workforce
• Survivors endure chronic neurological disorders, similar to stroke
• Imaging is often inconclusive, sending some very ill patients home as “crazy”

Becky Dennis is the board president of Encephalitis411, a national speaker on encephalitis, a survivor of encephalitis and as a patient advocate, is a trusted “go-to” resource for scarce information about this rare syndrome. Tenacious drive and compassionate spirit. Putting encephalitis on the map.