Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is more commonly a term given to disorders that are characterized by a persistent fatigue that is unrelated to exertion and is not relieved by rest. Many have pondered as to the cause of this disorder and come out empty handed. In the 1980s people believed that the Epstein Barr virus was the cause for chronic fatigue syndrome. The Epstein Barr virus not only causes fever, swollen glands and heart problems but is also the cause of conditions like mononucleosis, herpes and polio. Research has shown that the virus has an effect on the central nervous system in the body. Chronic fatigue syndrome and epstein barr virus though once considered synonymous, therefore isnt considered so anymore.
There were many factors that contributed towards people believing that chronic fatigue syndrome and epstein barr virus were synonymous. The main reason for this is that the Epstein Barr virus produces symptoms that are extremely similar to the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Another reason is because people with chronic fatigue syndrome have very high EBV antibody levels.
The notion that chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr virus are synonymous was dropped when further research proved otherwise. When considering chronic fatigue syndrome and epstein barr, it is important to remember that though the virus may contribute to the development of the syndrome, it is not the sole cause. CFS may in fact be developed due to other weaknesses in the immune deficiency system and by other viruses. The findings that chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr virus in fact were not interconnected was further proved when the drug acyclovir; that blocks the multiplication of the EBV is not affective on CFS patients.
There are many factors that cause chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr virus. The causes predictably, arent the same. Many experts believe that CFS may be caused by a number of issues within the body. Hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, nutritional deficiency, toxins and hypothyroidism are considered to be some plausible causes. When considering chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr though, EBV is considered to be the cause of infective mononucleosis and herpes and polio. All herpes diseases are contagious and may be transferred to others through saliva or sexual intercourse.
Now scientists have completely thrown aside the theory that chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr virus is interrelated. In fact, CFS is considered to probably be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts (or overreacts) to perceived viruss by attacking otherwise healthy tissues. Therefore the similarity between chronic fatigue syndrome and epstine barr virus is easy to perceive and the misconception that the two were interrelated was due to such similarities.
