England Rugby Star Abi Burton's Remarkable Comeback After Encephalitis Diagnosis
Tenacious England rugby star and two-time Olympian Abi Burton has revealed how she battled back from a life-threatening autoimmune encephalitis diagnosis and medically induced coma to return to international rugby. The 26-year-old back-row forward from West Yorkshire says the traumatic experience fundamentally changed her perspective on life and sport.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis
Burton had never heard of encephalitis before her diagnosis at age 22. Following her first Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2021, she began experiencing unexplained deep sadness that gradually escalated into more severe symptoms. "I was always one of the loudest people in the room, but I just didn't want to spend time with anybody," Burton recalls of the initial phase when she was prescribed antidepressants.
Between May and September 2022, Burton's memories become incredibly hazy. Her family had to recount how her behaviour transitioned from sadness to aggression, including incidents where she ran around the house unclothed, punched her mother, and damaged property. "Despite having no recollection of this, guilt still lingered because I had put my loved ones through so much," she admits.
The Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
After multiple seizures and frightening behavioural episodes, Burton was admitted to the psychiatric unit at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield. A blood test finally confirmed she had autoimmune NMDA receptor encephalitis, a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain.
Dr Ava Easton MBE, chief executive of Encephalitis International, explains: "Encephalitis simply means inflammation of the brain. This can be caused through infection or through a person's own immune system going rogue and attacking the brain in error."
When Burton exhibited extreme agitation that prevented treatment, doctors placed her in a medically induced coma. She received Rituximab, a second-line immunotherapy, after failing to respond to multiple plasma exchanges.
Recovery and Rugby Return
Burton credits her lifelong love for rugby, incredible family support, and sheer stubbornness for her remarkable recovery. "The doctors said to me they weren't sure if I'd ever be able to play rugby again, but one thing about me is that I'm stubborn," she says. "I just had the attitude of 'let's just go at it.'"
Despite ongoing challenges with memory and fatigue, Burton returned to international rugby and represented England at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. "I don't have any lasting physical damages - which I know some people aren't so lucky in that area - so I feel privileged and lucky," she reflects.
New Perspective on Life
The traumatic experience has given Burton a completely new outlook. "If I wasn't selected for the Tokyo Olympics, that would have crushed me," she says. "But after everything that happened, when it got to the Paris Olympics in 2024, I just thought, if I don't get selected, it's OK."
"I'm still competitive, don't get me wrong, but I also now know that selection doesn't define me," Burton emphasizes. "The way that I look at life now is you can't take anything for granted. You never know which game is going to be your last, so you've got to go out and enjoy the moment for what it is."
Raising Awareness Through F.L.A.M.E.S Campaign
Burton has recently joined other public figures, including former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and Strictly Come Dancing finalist George Clarke, to support Encephalitis International's F.L.A.M.E.S campaign. The acronym stands for:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Loss of consciousness
- Acute headaches
- Memory problems
- Emotional or behavioural changes
- Seizures
Dr Easton highlights: "Of course lots of people experience these symptoms in isolation, but collectively when these symptoms come together this might suggest there's something neurological going on and indicate that people should seek urgent medical attention."
Burton's friendships have played a fundamental role in her recovery. "None of the girls I've met at rugby treat me any differently, and that's the thing that I love the most about them," she says. "To them I'm not an encephalitis survivor, I'm not a World Cup winner, I'm not an Olympian, I'm just Abi."
