Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a poorly understood condition that develops mainly in adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Its main symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue that interferes with daily activities and lasts longer than 6 months.
- Mild fever.
- Sore throat.
- Swollen glands.
- Difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Irritability.
- A noticeable decrease in physical activity.
It was once believed that chronic fatigue syndrome was caused by long-term infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). However, research has shown that chronic fatigue syndrome and EBV infection are two different illnesses and EBV does not cause chronic fatigue syndrome.
For more information, see the topic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Credits
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
| Last Updated | September 19, 2007 |
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