Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome may occur suddenly after you have a cold, bronchitis, hepatitis, or an intestinal infection. Symptoms may follow a bout of infectious mononucleosis (mono), which is caused by a virus that temporarily saps your energy. CFS can also begin after a period of high stress. Sometimes it develops more gradually, with no clear illness or other event noted as a starting point.

Unlike flu symptoms that usually go away in a few days or weeks, symptoms of CFS persist or recur in cycles for at least six months in 50% of time. CFS symptoms vary from person to person. Since 1994, the guidelines for diagnosing CFS include, in addition to a six-month history of fatigue that is not relieved with bed rest, at least four of the following eight symptoms:

• Muscle aches
• Joint pain without swelling or redness
• Headaches
• Trouble with short-tern memory or concentration, forgetfulness, or confusion
• Sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes
• Trouble sleeping or not feeling rested after sleep
• Worsening symptoms 24 hours or more after exercise

In addition to the eight diagnostic symptoms, patients with CFS can also suffer from:

• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Chronic mononucleosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Low blood pressure
• Sensitivity to many chemicals

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ .

Devanur LD, Kerr JR. Chronic fatigue syndrome. J Clin Virol.2006;37:139-150.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/ .

Prins JB, van der Meer JW, Bleijenberg G. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet.2006;367:346-355.