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Hey, everyone. I'm a newcomer around here, though I've been lurking/reading for a little while, ever since I came down with some sort of flu/flu-like viral infection with tonsillitis that knocked me for six just over a month ago. I've recovered from the 'acute' phase, but been left with a few vague symptoms that generally fit the profile of post-viral fatigue and ME/CFS, which is what prompted me to make this post.
Having said that, I want to be clear about one thing - I'm not asking for medical advice or diagnosis for myself (I'm aware that doing so is against the rules of PR). I'm just more generally interested in the answers to one, broad question:
Are there any recognisable symptomatic differences between post-viral fatigue syndromes and ME/CFS? There are a few studies out there that discuss the rates of post-infectious fatigue/CFS in the population, and the rates of recovery in the first year, e.g. the Dubbo studies, but from what I can recall those studies were fairly vague in terms of describing the symptom patterns etc.
Are post-infectious fatigue syndromes essentially identical to ME/CFS from a symptomatology perspective? Is there any data or research on this? It seems like, at present, ME/CFS is considered to be basically, in terms of symptoms, a severe post-viral fatigue syndrome that people simply don't recover from? (Again, speaking purely in terms of symptoms - I don't doubt that there are likely multiple different pathways and causes at play).
(As a side note, I'm humbled by the sheer perseverance and strength of character evident in the posts, threads and stories of everyone on these boards. I sincerely hope that the recent research efforts pay off and that you're all able to be effectively treated/cured of your condition in the near future. I wouldn't wish ME/CFS on anyone, and you'll always be in my thoughts).
Thanks, everyone, for any insight that you have.
Having said that, I want to be clear about one thing - I'm not asking for medical advice or diagnosis for myself (I'm aware that doing so is against the rules of PR). I'm just more generally interested in the answers to one, broad question:
Are there any recognisable symptomatic differences between post-viral fatigue syndromes and ME/CFS? There are a few studies out there that discuss the rates of post-infectious fatigue/CFS in the population, and the rates of recovery in the first year, e.g. the Dubbo studies, but from what I can recall those studies were fairly vague in terms of describing the symptom patterns etc.
Are post-infectious fatigue syndromes essentially identical to ME/CFS from a symptomatology perspective? Is there any data or research on this? It seems like, at present, ME/CFS is considered to be basically, in terms of symptoms, a severe post-viral fatigue syndrome that people simply don't recover from? (Again, speaking purely in terms of symptoms - I don't doubt that there are likely multiple different pathways and causes at play).
(As a side note, I'm humbled by the sheer perseverance and strength of character evident in the posts, threads and stories of everyone on these boards. I sincerely hope that the recent research efforts pay off and that you're all able to be effectively treated/cured of your condition in the near future. I wouldn't wish ME/CFS on anyone, and you'll always be in my thoughts).
Thanks, everyone, for any insight that you have.