What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Me/cfs
The symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. The major symptom is disabling fatigue which is worse after physical or mental exertion and not relieved by rest. ME/CFS is usually diagnosed after symptoms have been present for at least six months in adults, and other causes for the symptoms have been excluded. The symptom severity is very variable, with approximately 25% of people suffering from severe debilitating symptoms, which may leave them housebound or even bed-bound. This fatigue can often vary over time, with good and bad days. Over-exertion, either physical or mental, frequently makes symptoms of ME/CFS worse. In addition to fatigue, many other symptoms can occur in people with ME/CFS.
Other common symptoms include:
- inner ear infection with dizziness and vertigo
- sensitivity to noise and light.
Muscle and joint pain can be very severe and be overlap with fibromyalgia. The difference between this and ME/CFS usually depends on the main symptom pain or fatigue, respectively.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can have many possible symptoms. The most common ones include:
- severe fatigue, which can make it hard to get out of bed and do normal daily activities
- sleep problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep
- symptoms getting worse after physical or mental effort
- symptoms or dizziness that get worse after standing up or sitting upright from a lying down position
- problems with concentration and memory
- headaches and stomachaches
Getting Older And Me/cfs
There is very little information on getting older and ME/CFS, however people can develop ME/CFS at any age. Additionally, all of the strategies such as pacing to reduce PEM and managing symptoms still apply. As people age, other problems with their health may also arise, so discussing any new symptoms with their doctor important.
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How Is A Sore Throat From Tonsillitis Treated
If the tonsillitis infection is bacterial like strep throat, then antibiotics are given. If the tonsillitis infection is viral, antibiotics will not help. The virus must run its course for the sore throat to resolve. For either type of throat infection, the following treatment measures may help:
- Getting plenty of rest
- Eating smooth, soothing foods like gelatin, ice cream, shakes, frozen desserts, and soup
- Avoiding crunchy or spicy foods
- Using a vaporizer
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen. Children should not take aspirin.
If the tonsillitis infections occur repeatedly, or if the tonsils are interfering with sleep and breathing, the doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy, which is the surgical removal of the tonsils.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Gradually Figuring Out Whats Wrong
In 1983, a health professional in her 30s walked into my office and said, Ive been healthy all of my life. A year ago, I came down with some kind of virus sore throat, aching muscles, swollen lymph glands, fever. My fatigue was so bad I was in bed for nearly a week. Many of the symptoms gradually improved, but the terrible fatigue and difficulty thinking have not gotten better. Theyre so bad I cant fulfill my responsibilities at home or at work. This illness is affecting my brain, stealing my energy, and affecting my immune system. Its keeping me from realizing my dreams.
Theres a piece of advice attributed to a famous physician, William Osler, that every medical student probably has heard: Listen to your patient. The patient is telling you the diagnosis. But I wasnt sure it applied in this case.
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Pacing Activity For People With Me/cfs
Pacing, or keeping within your available energy, is a self-management strategy to help people with ME/CFS make sure that they dont overdo activity or exercise. It reduces the likelihood of triggering PEM and can help reduce symptoms. Pacing is not a cure for ME/CFS and does not treat the underlying, physical cause of the disease.
The goal of pacing is for activity to be sustainable, so that the person can have some stability in their symptoms and what they can do each day. Pacing should be used in conjunction with rest.
The most challenging aspect of pacing is that PEM is very often delayed by as much as 24-48 hours, which can make it difficult to recognise when youve done too much. Using tools like an activity diary or heart rate monitor help you learn about your body and how much activity you can safely tolerate.
Suggestions on how to pace yourself include:
How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
Right now, there’s no test to tell if someone has chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors ask a lot of questions about things like:
- a person’s medical history and the health of family members
- medicines taken
- smoking and drinking habits
They also will do an exam.
Doctors also usually order blood, urine , or other tests to check for conditions that cause similar symptoms. They may send a person to see other specialists, such as a sleep specialist or a neurologist, to help with the diagnosis.
A diagnosis of CFS is made after the symptoms have been present for at least 6 months. It often takes that long for tests results to come back and for consultants to see the child. But there’s no need to wait 6 months to see a doctor and start treatment. Sometimes over the course of 6 months, the symptoms clear up, which might mean it was not CFS after all.
Because kids and teens often feel tired for many reasons, CFS can be a misused diagnosis. Kids sometimes use being tired as a way to avoid school or other activities. Many teens are active in different sports, which can make them tired. For these reasons, doctors are careful when making a CFS diagnosis. Usually kids with CFS will continue to be tired and have symptoms on weekends and holidays, while those without CFS may perk up when not in school.
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Is Chronic Pharyngitis Contagious
Yes. If chronic pharyngitis is due to a viral or bacterial infection, then it can be transmitted from one person to another through saliva, mucus and nasal discharge. Some viruses and bacteria can survive on surfaces for a period of time, so contact with towels, toothbrushes, clothing or eating utensils can spread the disease.
How long am I contagious?
Viral pharyngitis is contagious as long as symptoms are present. If you have bacterial pharyngitis, a course of antibiotics can reduce the length of time that youre contagious. Generally, youre no longer contagious after 24 hours of taking an effective antibiotic.
How The Condition Progresses
The information below outlines how glandular fever usually progresses:
- in most people, the disease usually lasts 2-3 weeks
- the sore throat is usually severe for 3-5 days and then resolves over the next 7-10 days
- most symptoms tend to get better in 2-4 weeks, however, 20 per cent of people have a persistent sore throat at 4 weeks
- fatigue is common and usually lasts for a few weeks
- a minority of people have persistent fatigue that may last several months
- Epstein-Barr virus remains in the body lifelong
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How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated
There’s no known cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but the symptoms can be treated. Experts suggest focusing on the most disruptive symptoms first, and working with the childs doctor to manage them:
- Post-exertional malaise. For kids whose symptoms get worse after even mild activity, experts suggest pacing their activities. This means planning for a balance of activity and rest based on what the child and family feel are the childs limits. This can be different from one person to the next. Children with CFS should not be pushed to do more than they feel they can tolerate, as this can lead to a crash, or worsening of symptoms.
- Dizziness. Kids who get dizzy or feel weak or lightheaded when they sit up or stand might need to drink more fluids, use more salt in their foods, or wear support stockings.
- Sleep problems. Ensure good sleep habits and regular bedtime routines to overcome CFS-related sleep problems.
- Problems with concentration and memory. Find ways to keep track of important things to deal with concentration or memory problems.
- Headaches and stomachaches. Gentle massage and heat may help some kids with pain from CFS.
Doctors may also suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines for some of these symptoms.
Therapy and support groups can also help students with CFS deal with the academic or social challenges. It’s common for kids and teens with CFS to miss school, have poor grades, or withdraw from friends and social situations.
What Is The Treatment For Sore Throat And Headache
Usually, you can treat sore throat and headache with at-home remedies. If you have strep throat, your provider will prescribe antibiotics to get rid of it. Take all the medicine, even though youll start to feel better within a day or two.
At-home treatments for sore throat and headache include:
- Fluids, especially water, tea with honey, soup or broth.
- Throat lozenges or ice cubes.
- Warm saltwater gargle.
- Cool compress on your head.
- Plenty of rest.
If your child has a headache and sore throat, remember:
- Choose the right medication: Dont give aspirin to young children. It may cause a life-threatening condition called Reyes syndrome. Make sure to choose pain relievers made for infants and children.
- Avoid hard candies: Lozenges or other hard candies can be a choking hazard for young children.
- Dont give honey to babies: Avoid giving honey to infants under a year old. Babies dont have defenses against infant botulism.
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Causes Of Glandular Fever
Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus . This virus is found in the saliva of infected people and can be spread through:
- kissing glandular fever is often called the “kissing disease”
- exposure to coughs and sneezes
- sharing eating and drinking utensils, such as cups, glasses and unwashed cutlery
If you have EBV, it’s a good idea to take steps to avoid infecting others while you are ill, such as not kissing other people.
What Else Could It Be
The symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of other conditions.
If you think you may have ME/CFS it’s important to see a GP to make sure you get a correct diagnosis. A GP should also be able to refer you to a ME/CFS specialist if they think it would help you.
Page last reviewed: 29 October 2021 Next review due: 29 October 2024
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Causes Of Chronic Sore Throat
Most sore throats are the result of viral infections, often related to the common cold or flu. Bacterial infections can also lead to sore throats. Some of the more common ones include strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria.
A sore throat is considered chronic when it lasts for more than three months. Typical factors that can cause a long-lasting sore throat include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants, dry air and strained vocal cords. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as a tumor or HIV, can cause a sore throat.
What Else Should I Know
Having chronic fatigue syndrome can be hard. But for most people, the symptoms are most severe in the beginning. Later, they may come and go. Teens with CFS generally get better faster and recover more completely than adults do. Most teens get partial or full recovery within 5 years after symptoms began.
Many new and experimental treatments for CFS are available. But don’t use any unproven treatments until checking with your doctor.
CFS is a misunderstood illness. But scientists continue to learn about it through research and clinical trials. They’re trying to better understand its symptoms and causes in kids and teens.
Good medical care and coping techniques are the keys to helping your child manage chronic fatigue syndrome. You can find more information and support online at:
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Are There Any Side
The treatments currently available through the NHS include management from a team of healthcare professionals specialising in ME/CFS. As mentioned above, treatments include pacing, activity management, lifestyle approaches, GET and CBT. Treatment needs to be tailored to individual need. They should help symptoms in the longer term.
GET has become increasingly controversial. If activity is built up too quickly, it can cause a boom and bust scenario and make symptoms worse. This has led to some patients feeling that GET is dangerous. NICE is currently assessing the evidence carefully with new NICE guidance expected to be published in the near future. The aim is to improve the quality and success of treatment and reduce any risk of harm or symptoms worsening in the long term.
Caring For Someone With Me/cfs
Having a supportive community of family, friends, school, work, employers and health workers, who understand the potential seriousness of ME/CFS, can also help improve the quality of life of people living with ME/CFS.
Everyone involved in supporting someone with ME/CFS needs to understand Post Exertional Malaise, which is an abnormal, biological response to exercise or activity. This means the patient will not be able to do all of the activities they used to be able to do, and will benefit from practical and emotional support. People with ME/CFS will each have different needs and preferences, so it is important to talk with them about how best to provide support. This may include help with daily routines, family life, accessing healthcare and other personal priorities.
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Diagnosis And Treatment For Me/cfs
Currently, there is no single test to diagnose ME/CFS. Doctors make a diagnosis by excluding all other illnesses that might be causing symptoms and following accepted diagnostic criteria. The persons results from routine medical tests will often be normal, but additional tests may show abnormalities.
Whats The Most Common Cause Of A Sore Throat
Infections are the most common cause of both acute and chronic pharyngitis. However, a number of other factors can result in chronic pharyngitis, including:
- Persistent tonsillitis, a condition in which your tonsils become inflamed and infected.
- Environmental pollutants, such as smoke and chemicals.
- Allergic reactions to pollen, mold and pet dander.
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux , where stomach acid goes back into your throat and causes irritation.
Very rarely, throat cancer can cause chronic sore throat. This type of cancer starts in your pharynx or larynx . The resulting throat pain may be accompanied by shortness of breath, lumps in your neck or bleeding in your nose or mouth.
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Can I Prevent A Sore Throat And Headache
The best way to prevent sore throat and headache is to avoid infections and illness. Tips include:
- Wash hands often: Always wash hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper and before eating or preparing food.
- Dont share: Dont share food, water bottles, glasses or other eating utensils.
- Use good cough hygiene: When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue. If you dont have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow. Dont cough or sneeze into your hand.
- Stay home if youre sick: Isolate yourself as much as you can until you feel better. And be around other people who are not feeling well.
- Avoid allergy triggers: Take precautions to avoid your allergy triggers. Allergies can cause coughing and sneezing.
- Practice safe sex: Use a condom or dental dam to avoid sexually transmitted infections.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol products: Try to stay away from cigarettes and limit alcohol. These products increase your risk of developing head and neck cancers.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
If you suspect youâve been exposed to an STI, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to set up a screening. Many STIs are treatable but still need to be addressed in order to lower the risk of any complications.
Sexually active adults should get screened regularly for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HPV. It is also recommended everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested at least once for HIV.
When it comes to STI testing, various methods are used including urine and blood tests. Swabs may also be performed, as well as a physical examination.
At-home STI kits are also available for those who feel uncomfortable going to a clinic or their healthcare provider.
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How Does It Happen
Doctors donât know the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, but
they have identified different underlying abnormalities in people with the condition.
Immune system problems: Several different parts of the immune system are different in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, and some research indicates that these abnormalities may cause the symptoms of the illness. However, fortunately, people with chronic fatigue syndrome do not have a defective immune system, in the way that people with HIV/AIDS do.
Energy production: In people with chronic fatigue syndrome, the cells in the body have trouble making enough energy.
Brain abnormalities: Abnormalities are seen in pictures of the brain , in levels of brain hormones, and in the electrical system of the brain . These abnormalities can come and go, and are not necessarily permanent.
Blood pressure and pulse issues: On standing, people can have a drop in blood pressure and an increase in how fast the heart beats. Sometimes people feel like fainting or actually faint, if the blood pressure drops too low.
Genes: Some studies have found abnormalities in the structure of certain genes. Other studies have found abnormalities in how some genes are turned on and off, inside cells. Studies of identical and non-identical twins indicate that some people inherit a genetic susceptibility to getting the illness.
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