I'd just like to point out that this study design has many faults. To say there is a wide benefit when the difference between the starting point and the "successful treatment outcome" was only 2.5 points on Dr Lerner's own subjective scale (see below), and when many patient outcomes were not reported on at all (they dropped out) is hardly scientific. A total of 5 patients gave the improvements (from 4.3 to 6.7 on the scale below) as reported in this study. Others dropped out of the study. No reasons for that were given.
Valtrex does help some of us, but to conclude the EBV is the cause of ME/CFS is disingenuous, to say the least. Personally, I go with what I understand of Dr. Mikovits' hypothesis that our immune system is compromised by an MuLV, and infections that in immunocompetant persons are kept under control make us sick, and increase our symptom load. That's how it works with HIV, after all.
Treating the secondary infections - EBV, HHV6 and the rest of the Herpes family, HParvoV, HPapV, etc, helps in those where those pathogens are active but does not cure. To do that, you have to hit the retro-virus, and rebuild the immune system.
What's the difference here between level 5 and level 6? Not a lot.4 - Out of bed sitting, standing, walking 46 hours per day
5 - Perform with difficulty sedentary job 40 hours a week, daily naps
Recovery
6 - Daily naps in bed, may maintain a 40-hour sedentary work week plus light, limited housekeeping and/or social activities
Valtrex does help some of us, but to conclude the EBV is the cause of ME/CFS is disingenuous, to say the least. Personally, I go with what I understand of Dr. Mikovits' hypothesis that our immune system is compromised by an MuLV, and infections that in immunocompetant persons are kept under control make us sick, and increase our symptom load. That's how it works with HIV, after all.
Treating the secondary infections - EBV, HHV6 and the rest of the Herpes family, HParvoV, HPapV, etc, helps in those where those pathogens are active but does not cure. To do that, you have to hit the retro-virus, and rebuild the immune system.