The Encephalitis Podcast

In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav Prathapan speaks with Dr Melissa Wright, a paediatric autoimmune neurologist at the University of Utah and Director of the Paediatric Autoimmune Neurology and Neuroimmunology Program at Primary Children’s Hospital, about clinical trials in paediatric autoimmune encephalitis. Dr Wright explains why clinical trials are so important for children with...

As part of Volunteer Week, we’re sharing the powerful story of Evie, who developed autoimmune anti-NMDAR encephalitis at just 19 years old. What began with flu-like symptoms quickly became seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, memory loss, and months in hospital. In this deeply honest conversation, Evie opens up about surviving encephalitis as a teenager, losing her sense of identity, struggling to...

In this episode, Prav speaks with Hina about her son Dian’s journey with autoimmune encephalitis and the challenges of returning to school after a life-changing diagnosis. After Dian began experiencing seizures at just seven years old, Hina and her family faced a long and emotional journey through hospital testing, uncertainty, memory difficulties, and major changes in daily life and more recently...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 70 In this special episode of the Encephalitis Podcast for World Immunization Week, we spotlight West Nile encephalitis through the powerful short film Unconquered: Battling Back After West Nile Virus. Host Prav is joined by Tom, a West Nile encephalitis survivor, and Shawn, filmmaker and CEO of SES Productions, who brought Tom’s story to life on screen. Tom shares his...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 69 In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Bill, an endurance athlete who shares his powerful journey through tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). From competing in swimrun events across Nordic countries to facing severe neurological symptoms and a long recovery, Bill’s story highlights how unexpected and serious this virus can be. As part of World Immun...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 68 In this episode, we explore why completing your full vaccination schedule is essential for protecting against encephalitis.  Prav is joined by Professor Lance Turtle, an expert in infectious diseases, who explains how vaccines work, why multiple doses matter, and the risks of stopping after just one shot. Learn how vaccines not only protect individuals but also help...

Ep 67 - In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Professor Tom Solomon CBE, a leading neurologist and infectious disease expert, about the groundbreaking DexEnceph study - two decades in the making. Discover how this UK-wide clinical trial explored whether dexamethasone (a corticosteroid used to treat various inflammatory conditions) could improve outcomes in herpes simplex vi...

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with neurologist Dr. Aline Matos about the development of global training modules designed to help clinicians diagnose and treat encephalitis -especially in low-resource settings. They explore why encephalitis is often missed or misdiagnosed, the life-changing consequences of delayed diagnosis, and how these practical modules empower clinici...

What is MOG antibody-associated encephalitis, and how does it differ from other types of autoimmune brain inflammation? In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Dr. Matteo Gastaldi, neurologist and Head of the Neuroimmunology Research Unit in Pavia, Italy. Together, they explore MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), including how it presents in children and adults, symptoms...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 63 In this episode, Prav is joined by Dr. Freddie Byrne, clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Living with ABI Limited.  Together they explore the realities of parenting after encephalitis and acquired brain injury (ABI), including changes in family roles, the impact on children’s well-being, trauma, and post-injury growth. Drawing on over a decade of experienc...

Encephalitis Podcast Ep 63  In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by leading neurologist Dr Nicholas Davies to introduce F.L.A.M.E.S., a new life-saving acronym designed to help the public and healthcare professionals recognise the urgent symptoms of encephalitis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have been affe...

Encephalitis Podcast Ep 62 In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by award-winning screenwriter and director Scott Z. Burns to discuss the depiction of encephalitis in films and explore the science, humanity, and lasting impact of the 2011 film Contagion. Inspired by real-world viruses such as Nipah and SARS, the film gained renewed relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic for i...

In this powerful and emotive podcast episode Denis shares his journey of living with viral encephalitis from his life as an aeronautical engineer through the sudden onset of illness, hospitalisation, and a long, complex recovery. He discusses memory loss, intense emotions, vivid and distressing 'encephalitis dreams'. Denis also explains the coping strategies, psychological support, and practical t...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 60 This podcast episode is about sleep and encephalitis. Sleep difficulties can be a symptom of encephalitis as well as a potentially long-term after-effect.   Prav is joined by Dr. David Lee. Dr Lee is a chartered psychologist and chartered scientist who has been researching sleep and the psycho-behavioral treatment of insomnia for the last 20 years. He holds membershi...

In this episode, Prav talks to Wady a patient advocate, music educator, singer-songwriter and survivor of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Here is a link to Wady's music https://youtu.be/btoaGoXLi1k -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some suppor...

Encephalitis Podcast Episode 58 In this episode, Prav talks to Kenny Thoms the Co-Founder, Director & Specialist at NeuroPhysio in Glasgow. Kenny works with individuals recovering from neurological events or those managing long-term neurological conditions. They discuss neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation including the specific neurological challenges that encephalitis survivors face...

In this episode, Prav is joined by a mother who is changing the world! Not just for her own child, but for so many others. Kate Fisher, the founder of Milkshakes for Marleigh - a blood donation initiative in Australia - talks about her daughter's experience of encephalitis and how she now commits her life to blood donor advocacy. Kate founded Milkshakes for Marleigh after her daughter was diagnose...

  In this episode, Prav talks to Dr Sophie Binks about genetics and DNA in relation to autoimmune encephalitis. Asking the question 'can genetics play a part in the prevalence of encephalitis?' Sophie is a Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Neurology SpR at Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford. She is also on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Encephalitis International. ...

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 55 - Relationships after encephalitis with Dr Giles Yeats In this episode, Prav talks about relationships after encephalitis with Doctor Giles Yeates. Relationships sit at the intersection of our personal and professional lives, shaping our identity, providing support during times of isolation, and often significantly transformed after encephalitis. Dr Yeates is a consu...

In this lived experience episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav talks to Pauline - a volunteer for Encephalitis International. Pauline shares her own story of LGi1 encephalitis, life as a nurse and about being a support volunteer for the online peer groups.   If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some support, please visit https://www.encephalitis.info/support  If you wou...

It this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is asking Professor Sarosh Irani the question 'What's new in autoimmune encephalitis?' Professor Irani is Professor of Neurology and Neurosciences at the Mayo Clinic, Florida, former professor of Autoimmune Neurology at the University of Oxford, and adjunct professor at the University of Southern Denmark. He was part of the team that discovered LGI...

In this episode, Prav talks to Trevor and his mum, Lois from Sydney. Trevor shares his lived experience of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.    If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some support, please visit https://www.encephalitis.info/support If you would like to stay up to date with our news and events please sign up to our mailing list here: https://www.encephalitis.i...

In this episode, Prav talks to Katy Peters about travel health and encephalitis. Katy is an immunisation and travel health specialist nurse who founded 360 Health Limited, a London vaccination clinic in 2013. A member of the Faculty of Travel Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, where she qualified with with distinction and was awarded the Cameron Lockie Prize for A...

In this episode, Prav talks to Sue Ann who was diagnosed with West Nile Virus encephalitis in 2023. She shares her lived experience story.   If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some support, please visit https://www.encephalitis.info/support If you would like to stay up to date with our news and events please sign up to our mailing list here: https://www.encephalitis.info/...

In this special Legacy episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav talks to our lived experience and community member Wunmi. Wunmi had encephalitis in 2017. Here, she shares her story and talks about legacies and leaving a gift in her will. To learn more about wills or leaving a legacy gift to Encephalitis International visit: https://www.encephalitis.info/gift-in-will/. This page also contains info...