ABOUT THIS EPISODE
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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