The XMRV chronic fatigue retrovirus could be one of the predominant causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, according to Judy Mikovits PhD, director of the Whittemore-Peterson Institute. In a recent study, it was uncovered that 67% of the 101 patients who had chronic fatigue syndrome also had the XMRV virus. By contrast, 4% of 218 control subjects who did not have chronic fatigue also tested positive for the retrovirus. "This discovery opens a new area of medical possibilities for people who have a condition that has baffled doctors and researchers for years," says Dr. Mikovits.
The CDC has several theories on the causes of CFS. One is that critical or persistent infections such as herpes virus 6 or Epstein-Barr can leave behind lingering effects in the system, like lethargy and aches. A four-city surveillance study was not able to track CFS back to just one specific human pathogen, even though it is believed that contagious agents might have a role to play in producing chronic fatigue.
New research indicates that people infected with Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Coxiella burnetti will acquire a post-infective condition that matches the chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in twelve percent of cases.
While it's not one of the purported causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, a recent study showed that 96% of adults with a CFS diagnosis also tested positive for neurally mediated hypotension during tilt table testing (compared to 29% of healthy controls). Neurally mediated hypotension is induced when a patient gets up too fast, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, nausea and fainting. Some CFS patients were given medication normally administered to NMH patients and many saw dramatic improvement in their symptoms, but much more medical research is required before this one-size-fits-all approach is recommended.
The latest story in the search for causes of chronic fatigue syndrome is that there may be a virus behind the troubling symptoms. The XMRV chronic fatigue retrovirus is said to be similar to HIV in that it spreads through bodily fluids and causes the body to attack itself, in a sense. Researchers are still trying to figure out the exact connection, but they have recently found that many CFS patients also tested positive for the XMRV retrovirus as well. It is estimated that 4% of the population has the retrovirus inside them, but they don't necessarily have chronic fatigue, so the link needs to be further developed. - 29964
The CDC has several theories on the causes of CFS. One is that critical or persistent infections such as herpes virus 6 or Epstein-Barr can leave behind lingering effects in the system, like lethargy and aches. A four-city surveillance study was not able to track CFS back to just one specific human pathogen, even though it is believed that contagious agents might have a role to play in producing chronic fatigue.
New research indicates that people infected with Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Coxiella burnetti will acquire a post-infective condition that matches the chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in twelve percent of cases.
While it's not one of the purported causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, a recent study showed that 96% of adults with a CFS diagnosis also tested positive for neurally mediated hypotension during tilt table testing (compared to 29% of healthy controls). Neurally mediated hypotension is induced when a patient gets up too fast, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, nausea and fainting. Some CFS patients were given medication normally administered to NMH patients and many saw dramatic improvement in their symptoms, but much more medical research is required before this one-size-fits-all approach is recommended.
The latest story in the search for causes of chronic fatigue syndrome is that there may be a virus behind the troubling symptoms. The XMRV chronic fatigue retrovirus is said to be similar to HIV in that it spreads through bodily fluids and causes the body to attack itself, in a sense. Researchers are still trying to figure out the exact connection, but they have recently found that many CFS patients also tested positive for the XMRV retrovirus as well. It is estimated that 4% of the population has the retrovirus inside them, but they don't necessarily have chronic fatigue, so the link needs to be further developed. - 29964
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Chronic fatigue is a real illness that requires education and the right treatment methods. One cure does not fit all with this disease. You need to educate yourself if you hope to start living a normal life again. Visit Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Help to find out more.
