Helen Edwards, 74, from Penrhyn-coch near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, was diagnosed with encephalitis, an uncommon but serious condition that causes the brain to become inflamed or swollen, with one in five cases proving fatal. This condition was caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), or cold sore virus, which affects 3.8 billion people under 50 globally, or 67% of the world's population. Helen spent 12 weeks in hospital and her recovery has been slow due to the brain damage she sustained. Despite this, campaigners warn that awareness of the condition remains low, with 77% of people not knowing what it is. Helen is currently at Swansea's Morriston Hospital after developing a complication that can follow the viral form.