October 9, 2009

Chronic fatigue "a true human infection,' study says
by Joseph Hall
Health Reporter
The Toronto Star

Joan slept 19 hours a day for two years. She'd fall asleep while talking. Getting through a sink full of dishes could put her out for two days.

Yet even her father doubted her ailment when, 15 years ago, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

"The stigma is 'You're lazy. You're depressed,' people haven't got a clue why you're sleeping all the time," says the Tottenham-area woman, who did not want her real name used. "The biggest problem with chronic fatigue is it's so nebulous that people … don't accept that you're sick."

But a new study, being published Friday in the journal Science, shows the ailment is almost certainly caused by a virus that closely resembles HIV and might be treatable with current AIDS medications.ds will be looked after. The peace of mind and financial security so important to their child has been made possible because of this settlement."

…

The findings should help bust the stigmatizing skepticism associated with the syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Toronto lawyer Richard Bogoroch, who has fought many chronic fatigue compensation cases, says sufferers face legal discrimination, with employers and insurance companies doubting them.

"I can tell you in my experience these are real complaints and this is wonderful that they've found an objective marker," says Bogoroch.

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