I have been working with a student with chronic fatigue syndrome for over a year.  This is a rather new phenomenon in the medical field.  The person experiences extreme fatigue to the point of being immobilized. Symptoms include weakness, muscle aches and pains, confusion, impaired short-term memory, difficulty sleeping, sore throat and headaches.

Since the cause of CFS is still unknown, treatment consists of treating the presenting symptoms.  If a patient is complaining of a headache they may be given a pain reliever or if muscle pains are the problem an anti-inflammatory may be given.  Depression is often a secondary symptom due to lack of energy and the ability to maintain a normal lifestyle. Thus, many patients are medicated with antidepressants.

The family I have been working with is becoming very frustrated in the fact that there is very little improvement and to some extent the child is getting worse.  Hopefully more studies will reveal an answer.

For more information contact:

National Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mailstop A15
Atlanta, GA 30333
CDC at http://cdc.gov/netinfo.htm

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NIAID internet site: www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cfs.htm