each case is different

Outcomes vary significantly by individual and by age. For example, children's symptoms and outcomes vary pretty significantly from adults. Children’s brains have more neuroplasticity than adults. This doesn't mean adults have less optimal results; it just means that the wiring may take longer than a child's developing brain.

Regardless of the age of onset, recovery for the average survivor continues to occur over months to years! The brain is an incredible organ capable of neuroplasticity. 

Typical long-term outcomes

 Survivors of encephalitis are often left with some level residual deficit from the damage done while the brain was inflamed. The more common issues are difficulty concentrating, multi-tasking, memory issues, seizure disorder, fatigue, and sometimes irritability. There are many other symptoms that are more rare on a long-term basis, such as mobility issues, speech impairment, and personality changes. Degree of recovery can be extremely variable; 
every case is different. 

Note that we have seen examples of significant recovery even in the “out years.” In one particularly memorable case, we witnessed significant recovery begin more than 50 years after the survivor had encephalitis! This is why Encephalitis411 encourages patience and hope. While it can be frustrating to not recover quickly, brain plasticity is very real.