The ME/CFS Society of NSW Inc.

What are the causes of ME/CFS?
Despite ongoing research, the cause of ME/CFS is not yet clear. In fact, there are a number of "causes". In many cases, onset appears to be linked to a stress to the immune system such as an acute infection (particularly viral), chemical exposure or immunisation. The symptoms do not clear up as would be expected; instead, they become chronic or may intensify and abate but never completely disappear, and are accompanied by profound fatigue and feelings of malaise. Occasionally, onset may be slow and insidious. There is also some evidence that certain common viruses are involved in the development of the syndrome.

Is there a cure for ME/CFS?
At this stage, there is no cure - and until we know the exact cause/s of ME/CFS, a cure is unlikely to be found. However, symptomatic relief may be possible to some extent. Treatments aimed at various symptoms can help some people, but not others, and it is often a question of trial and error to find the optimum regimen for each individual. It has also been suggested that those people who recover best are those who were diagnosed early and who received appropriate treatment for their individual ME/CFS cases.

How long does ME/CFS last?
That's like asking how long is a piece of string, as the length of the illness is difficult to predict and will vary from individual to individual. Symptoms can last from a few months to years; in some cases, they can be chronic, in others, they fluctuate in severity. Some people improve gradually and make a full recovery in time, although recovery may be slow and subject to relapse; some never fully recover; rarely, some become progressively worse.

Who gets ME/CFS?
The answer is just about anyone. It's a condition that knows no social, racial, economic or geographic boundaries and can affect people from all backgrounds and of all ages, including children, teenagers and retired people. Prevalence research shows, however, that it is most common among 20 to 40 year olds, and that women outnumber men. There are no firm statistics on the number of people with ME/CFS in Australia, but conservative estimates have suggested that at least one person in 2,500 is affected.

Is ME/CFS a new illness?
Probably not. Although the incidence is thought to have increased in the past half-century, the syndrome itself has probably been around for thousands of years. Medical texts from ancient days mention clusters of symptoms similar to those of ME/CFS, and it's probably the disease referred to in 1745 as "febricula" and as "neurasthenia" in the 19th century. Twentieth century names have included epidemic neuromyaesthenia, Tapanui flu (New Zealand), Royal Free disease (after London's Royal Free Hospital) and Chronic Epstein Barr virus disease. The term "myalgic encephalomyelitis" was coined in London in 1956, and more recently both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) have been used. Another recent name is "Myalgic Encephalopathy".