1 What is ME? What is Long-COVID?

What is ME?
What is Long-COVID?

Introduction

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a complex, chronic neuroinflammatory illness, which impacts systems throughout the body.

Myalgia = Muscle Pain
Encephalo = Brain
Myelo = Spinal Cord

ME has also been referred to as ME/CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disease (SEID), or Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS).

A debilitating chronic illness, ME can strike adults and children, male and female, often lingering for years. Onset can be rapid or slow.

It can leave individuals unable to work or take care of themselves or their families.

The cause of ME is not yet known. There could be a number of factors which contribute to the onset of the illness, but evidence suggests an immune system dysfunction, possibly triggered by viral infection(s).

AdobeStock_333408301_edited_edited_edite

Researchers have estimated that approximately 80% of ME/CFS cases are infectious in origin, often following a virus such as Epstein Barr, West Nile or Influenza (ref).

Many individuals living with Long-COVID report symptoms that resemble ME/CFS, most notably post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction and persistent exhaustion.