ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Postviral fatigue
;
Chronic mononucleosis
;
Myalgic encephalomyelitis
;
Lake-tahoedisease
;
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Reports on conditions of chronic fatigue associated with other somatopsychic symptoms after acute viral infections have led to the hypothesis of a “chronic fatigue syndrome” (CFS). Historical disease descriptions, like e.g. “myalgic encephalomyelitits”, were updated by means of modern virological diagnostic techniques and data analysis. Several viral agents like enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Human-Herpesvirus 6 and other herpesviruses have been implicated for possible underlying infections. A preliminary disease definition by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) seeks to provide a rational basis for further etiological studies. In fact, there is growing consensus that the syndrome comprises various separate disease entities and causative agents. Today we can tentatively differentiate a “chronic mononucleosis” after infection with Epstein-Barr virus, an etiologically undetermined “postviral fatigue syndrome” and a fatigue syndrome of the myalgic type after Coxsackie-B virus infection. Furthermore, a valid diagnosis of CFS must be based on the exclusion of defined other diseases and the awareness of dealing with a hypothetical concept. As a result, current knowledge does not yet allow specific therapeutic recommendations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01796268
