Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a myriad of symptoms that includes prolonged fatigue, a sore throat that comes and goes, persistent low grade fever, swelling in the lymph nodes, headaches, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, depression and an inability to concentrate. Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes chronic fatigue syndrome, but many point to the Epstein-Barr virus, which belongs to the herpes group of viruses. One notable characteristic of a herpes virus is that it can stay in the patient’s body for the rest of their life, even after the initial infection is gone. Usually, the virus is kept in check by the immune system, but can become active again when the immune system is compromised. Sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome often have a weakened immune system.