Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome

Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) — also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], benign myalgic encephalomyelitis, and “Yuppie flu” — is typically marked by debilitating fatigue, neurologic abnormalities, and persistent symptoms that suggest chronic mononucleosis. It commonly occurs in adults younger than age 45, and its incidence is highest in women.

Causes

Although the cause of CFIDS is unknown, researchers suspect that it may be found in human herpesvirus 6 or in other herpesviruses, enteroviruses, or retroviruses. Rising levels of antibodies to EBV, once thought to implicate EBV infection as the cause of CFIDS, are now considered a result of this disease.

CFIDS may be associated with a reaction to viral illness that’s complicated by dysfunctional immune response and by other factors that may include sex, age, genetic disposition, prior illness, stress, and environment.

Signs and symptoms

The characteristic symptom of CFIDS is prolonged, often overwhelming fatigue that’s commonly associated with a varying complex of other symptoms. To aid identification of the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses a “working case definition” to group symptoms and severity. (See CDC criteria for diagnosing CFIDS.)

Diagnosis

The cause and nature of CFIDS are still unknown, and no single test unequivocally confirms its presence. Therefore, the diagnosis is based on the patient’s history and the CDC criteria. Because the CDC criteria are admittedly a working concept that may not include all forms of this disease and are based on symptoms that can result from other diseases, diagnosis is difficult and uncertain. Considerable overlap exists between CFIDS and fibromyalgia syndrome, with many patients having features of both.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at the cause, if one can be found. Supportive therapy includes an anti-inflammatory, an antihistamine, and rest.

Treatment of symptoms may include a tricyclic antidepressant (doxepin), a histamine₂-blocker (cimetidine), and an anxiolytic (alprazolam). In some patients, avoidance of environmental irritants and certain foods may help to relieve symptoms.

Experimental treatments include the antiviral acyclovir and selected immunomodulators, such as I.V. gamma globulin, ampligen, and transfer factor.

Special considerations

Clinical tip  Refer the patient to the CFIDS Association for information as well as to local support groups; supportive contact with others who share this disease may benefit the patient.

❑ If appropriate, suggest psychological counseling.

Pictures

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Handbook of Diseases
• Author(s): Springhouse
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Copyright Details: Handbook of Diseases, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Extreme tiredness

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Extreme tiredness:

Copyright Details: Handbook of Diseases, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Extreme tiredness

• Back to symptom: Extreme tiredness: Introduction (review 20 causes)
• Next Book Extract About Extreme tiredness: Folic acid deficiency anemia (Handbook of Diseases)
• All Book Extracts: All Online Book Extracts for Extreme tiredness

More About This Book: Title: Handbook of Diseases Authors: Springhouse Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 1-58255-266-5

 » Next page: Folic acid deficiency anemia (Handbook of Diseases)

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Folic acid deficiency anemia (Handbook of Diseases)
• Iron deficiency anemia (Handbook of Diseases)
• Pernicious anemia (Handbook of Diseases)
• Sickle cell anemia (Handbook of Diseases)
• Sideroblastic anemias (Handbook of Diseases)

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City