Cort
Phoenix Rising Founder
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This Poll looks at XMRV PCR tests by the Cooperative Diagnostics Lab. This lab has not been validated by the WPI but three things argue for its inclusion; (a) reports from the Forums suggest it is legitimate (b) it appears to be the only test people from the UK and overseas can get and (c) people are getting the CD test done - thus it behooves us to chart its results.
The PCR tests for an ACTIVE infection; ie the virus has moved out of the cells into the bloodstream and is looking for more cells to infect.
One thing everyone's interested in is whether illness level will effect ones potential for testing positive; ie will severely ill patients be more likely to test positive than moderately ill patients? To get a grasp on that the poll will assess illness level relative to disability on four levels; severely ill, moderate to severe and mild to moderate and mild. Disability levels aren't perfect but they're a start.
These polls are completely private; neither I nor anyone else can determine how anyone voted.
We're going to use Dr. Bell's disability scale. It's a bit lengthy. I highlighted the functional parts of it. This scale is from 'The Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', by David S Bell, pages 122-123.
Dr. BELL'S CFS DISABILITY SCALE
Healthy
The PCR tests for an ACTIVE infection; ie the virus has moved out of the cells into the bloodstream and is looking for more cells to infect.
One thing everyone's interested in is whether illness level will effect ones potential for testing positive; ie will severely ill patients be more likely to test positive than moderately ill patients? To get a grasp on that the poll will assess illness level relative to disability on four levels; severely ill, moderate to severe and mild to moderate and mild. Disability levels aren't perfect but they're a start.
These polls are completely private; neither I nor anyone else can determine how anyone voted.
We're going to use Dr. Bell's disability scale. It's a bit lengthy. I highlighted the functional parts of it. This scale is from 'The Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', by David S Bell, pages 122-123.
Dr. BELL'S CFS DISABILITY SCALE
Healthy
- 100 = No symptoms at rest. No symptoms with exercise; normal overall activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.
- 90 = No symptoms at rest; mild symptoms with activity; normal overall activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.
- 80 = Mild symptoms at rest, symptoms worsened by exertion; minimal activity restriction noted for activities requiring exertion only; able to work full-time with difficulty in jobs requiring exertion.
- 70 = Mild symptoms at rest; some daily activity limitation clearly noted. Overall functioning close to 90% of expected except for activities requiring exertion. Able to work full-time with difficulty.
- 60 = Mild to moderate symptoms at rest; daily activity limitation clearly noted. Overall functioning 70%-90%. Unable to work full-time in jobs requiring physical labor, but able to work full-time in light activities if hours flexible.
- 50 = Moderate symptoms at rest; moderate to severe symptoms with exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 70% of expected. Unable to perform strenuous duties, but able to perform light duty or desk work 4-5 hours a day, but requires rest periods.
- 40 = Moderate symptoms at rest. Moderate to severe symptoms with exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 50%-70% of expected. Not confined to house. Unable to perform strenuous duties; able to perform light duty or desk work 3-4 hours a day, but requires rest periods.
- 30 = Moderate to severe symptoms at rest. Severe symptoms with any exercise; overall activity level reduced to 50% of expected. Usually confined to house. Unable to perform any strenuous tasks. Able to perform desk work 2-3 hours a day, but requires rest periods.
- 20 = Moderate to severe symptoms at rest. Severe symptoms with any exercise; overall activity level reduced to 30%-50% of expected. Unable to leave house except rarely; confined to bed most of day; unable to concentrate for more than 1 hour a day.
- 10 = Severe symptoms at rest; bedridden the majority of the time. No travel outside ofthe house. Marked cognitive symptoms preventing
concentration.
- 0 = Severe symptoms on a continuous basis; bedridden constantly; unable to care for self.