working to improve care for people living with:
working to improve care for people living with:
The cause or causes of ME are still unknown. However, ME is increasingly viewed as an infection-associated chronic illness. This is because of the frequency of its association with infection -most people end up with ME after an infection- and the symptom overlap with illnesses following known infections like “Long Covid”. Perhaps half of those with “Long Covid” now meet the diagnostic criteria for ME.
However; other factors may also contribute to development of ME.
Some patients report experiencing an accident, trauma, immobilization, surgery, vaccination, or significant physical or emotional stress prior to onset of ME symptoms.
ME/CFS onset can be acute or gradual. Gradual onset can occur over months or years.
Acute onset may follow:
It should be noted that the re-emergence of an EBV infection may be a consequence of the illness and not the cause.
The percentage of ME/CFS patients who recover is not well-studied. However, there is evidence and experience that early diagnosis and timely and appropriate management may play a role.
Some patients return to full function. Many who improve continue to have symptoms but do not achieve pre-illness levels of function. Others who improve continue to modify their activities to remain improved or free of symptoms. Remissions occur but can be followed by relapses. Some symptoms do not improve or, in fact, worsen over time.
More studies are needed. However, most experts agree that children and teenagers have a better chance of full or partial recovery from ME/CFS than adults.