The Encephalitis Podcast

In this episode, Prav speaks with Lisa Lauter, a retired nurse, public health advocate, support group leader, author, and survivor of LGi1 autoimmune encephalitis.

Lisa shares her long and complex journey to diagnosis, from early symptoms and seizures to hospital treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. She reflects on what it was like to move from being a nurse to becoming a patient, the importance of self-advocacy, and the many forms of support that helped her rebuild her life.

Lisa also discusses her book, Songbirds Keep Singing: A Memoir of Healing from Autoimmune Brain Inflammation, and explains how hope, education, rehabilitation, mindfulness, nutrition, sleep, and community all played a role in her healing.

You can find out where to buy Lisa's book on her website www.lisalauter.com 

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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

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Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Dr Andrea Pickering, consultant clinical psychologist specialising in paediatric clinical neuropsychology, about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after encephalitis.

Dr Pickering explains what PTSD is, why it can be under-recognised after encephalitis and brain injury, and how trauma symptoms may affect survivors, family members and carers. 

The conversation also explores the impact of intensive care, the differences between children and adults, how PTSD can overlap with neurological symptoms, and why timely psychological support matters.

The episode covers practical signs to look out for, including re-experiencing, avoidance, anxiety, nightmares, changes in behaviour and heightened alertness. Dr Pickering also discusses treatment approaches, the importance of family and community support, and the need for more joined-up psychological care after discharge.

#LifeAfterEncephalitis #EncephalitisSupport #NeurologicalHealth #EncephalitisTreatment #EncephalitisInternational #EncephalitisSociety

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

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Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

Episode 73

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Eva, a paediatric trainee and PhD student at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, about Rasmussen’s encephalitis - a form of brain inflammation that mainly affects one side of the brain. 

Eva explains the challenges of early diagnosis, current treatment options, and the long-term impact on children and families. She also shares how the REMEDI study aims to improve understanding of the condition, speed up diagnosis, and support families through the development of a dedicated UK support group in collaboration with Encephalitis International.

If you have been affected by Rasmussen's encephalitis and would like to join our dedicated peer support group, please email [email protected] to book a place.

#AutoimmuneEncephalitis #EncephalitisSymptoms #EncephalitisTreatment #EncephalitisInternational #EncephalitisSociety

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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

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Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by Yvonne and Zoe. 

Yvonne and her daughter Zoe as they reflect on the impact encephalitis has had on their family, from Yvonne’s sudden illness and long recovery to Zoe’s experience growing up alongside its lasting effects. 

Together, they share an honest mother-and-daughter perspective on invisible disability, epilepsy, school support, family resilience and learning to adapt after brain injury.

Yvonne’s advice to other parents is clear: do not be afraid to speak up, explain what is happening at home, and ask schools for the support your child may need. 

Zoe’s advice is to look for the positives where possible, talk to people you trust, learn how the illness affects daily life, and remember that even after difficult times, things can get better.

#ViralEncephalitis #LifeAfterEncephalitis #EncephalitisSymptoms #EncephalitisInternational #EncephalitisSupport

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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

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Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

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 autoimmune encephalitis, how treatment decisions are currently made when evidence is limited, and why children are not simply “little adults” when it comes to research, medication, recovery and long-term outcomes.

The conversation also explores common concerns families may have about clinical trials, including placebo use, safety safeguards, trust between clinicians and families, and the importance of building a supportive research community for rare conditions.

This episode is especially relevant to our children’s appeal, through which we are trying to raise £30,000 by July 2026 to support vital work for children and families affected by encephalitis. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/encephalitischildrensappeal2026

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

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 return to work and normal life, and the emotional impact the illness had on her relationships and mental health.

Now a volunteer with Encephalitis International, Evie supports other survivors and families through our online peer support groups - helping people realise they are not alone.

This episode navigates through recovery, identity, isolation, and life after brain injury.

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

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 his transition up to a new school.

Hina reflects back on the past 5 years and shares how encephalitis affected Dian’s learning, confidence, friendships, and family dynamics and how communication, persistence, counselling, and school support helped them move forward. 

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

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 journey from sudden severe illness and hospitalization in 2024, through weeks of rehabilitation, to his ongoing recovery marked by determination, physical therapy, and personal goals. His story highlights the long-term neurological impact of the disease and the slow, non-linear path to regaining strength and mobility.

Shawn discusses how a chance connection led him to Tom’s story, and why he felt compelled to document it. Drawing on his background in journalism, he explains the importance of human storytelling in raising awareness, balancing science with personal narrative, and sparking conversations about prevention, early diagnosis, and the urgent need for a human vaccine.

This episode was filmed as part of World Immunization Week April 2026

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 70

In this special episode for World Immunization Week, the Encephalitis Podcast spotlights West Nile encephalitis through the powerful short film - Unconquered. Survivor Tom shares his journey from sudden illness and paralysis to a long, ongoing recovery while filmmaker Sean explains how he brought Tom’s story to life. Together, they discuss the real impact of West Nile virus, the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and the urgent need for vaccine development.

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

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 Immunization Week, this conversation sheds light on the risks of TBE, the challenges of recovery, and the importance of vaccination for those traveling to or active in endemic regions. Bill also offers honest insights into life after encephalitis and practical advice for others affected.

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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/keep-in-touch 

Support our work providing help and assistance to families affected by encephalitis by visiting: https://www.encephalitis.info/donate

Follow Encephalitis International:

📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncephalitisInternational

📢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encephalitisinternational 

📢 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational