Medical News Today: What to know about post-viral syndrome

Andy

Andy

Retired committee member
What is post-viral syndrome?
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The trigger for post-viral syndrome appears to be a reaction to the virus itself. Many doctors will treat post-viral syndrome in the same way as they treat
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), as the two can have a similar presentation.

However, while CFS causes symptoms for no apparent reason, the symptoms of post-viral syndrome appear to have their origins in the infection.
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As a study in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics notes, another theory is that the virus overloads the immune system, causing a reaction that triggers symptoms similar to those of CFS.
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Some people may also feel more rested after trying stress reduction techniques. The American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society note that almost 50% of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and CFS — both of which can cause symptoms similar to those of post-viral syndrome — use alternative therapies, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, to help them cope.
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Post-viral syndrome is temporary. Although the effects may linger, many people can expect their symptoms to resolve within a few weeks.

In some cases, symptoms may last for longer, even up to several months. A smaller study in the journal Viral Immunology reported that 31% of people experienced prolonged fatigue of longer than 6 months following treatment for West Nile virus. The average duration of this symptom among these individuals was 5 years.

After a time, doctors may diagnose a person with a separate disorder, such as CFS. They will then order any necessary treatments and possibly give the individual some additional tips on how to manage their symptoms.
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Summary

Recovering from a viral infection can drain the body. Yet, even after the body clears out the virus, the symptoms, including fatigue, may linger.

The medical community is not sure exactly what causes post-viral syndrome. Some people believe that it is a condition in its own right, whereas others believe that the virus may have triggered another condition, such as CFS or depression.
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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326619.php

This article seems very confused as to whether CFS, as it calls it, actually exists, or has a typical trigger.
 
another one not on WHO.
There is Post viral Fatigue syndrome as we know (includes benign M.E., and CFS)

There is Postviral Encephalitis, and Postviral Encephalomyelitis under Viral infections of the central nervous system.

the idea of 'Postviral or postinfection syndrome' is not new:
see paper posted by @Lucibee on another thread

Post-infectious disease syndrome. 1988
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2428896/

re-inventing the wheel, and going round and round on it.........:arghh:
 
In the quotes the authors seem to be saying that if the condition develops out of a viral condition it is then post viral syndrome, if not it is then CFS. However it is also saying that post viral syndrome will spontaneously resolve.

Given a significant proportion, perhaps the largest subgroup, of people with an ME/CFS diagnosis had an origin in an acute infection, are they saying they all have post viral syndrome, or are they saying that the only way to distinguish between the two is if the person recovers relatively rapidly? Then does it make sense to say that one has an explanation but that the other arises for ‘no apparent reason’?

Some people with a ME/CFS following an acute infection do actually spontaneously recover, so are they saying that was a misdiagnosis, or are they willing to postulate a specific time period for recovery to distinguish between post viral syndrome and ME/CFS?

Am I wasting my time trying to make sense of any of this? Certainly I see little point in actually bothering to read the article.
 
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