Lingering symptoms after COVID‑19
Thousands now live with ongoing symptoms long after their initial COVID‑19 infection. They face dizziness, brain fog and disorientation daily. Simple tasks — like reading or holding a conversation — can exhaust them to the point of collapse.
The link to ME/CFS
Some patients with long‑term post‑COVID symptoms show features similar to Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). A review found “striking similarity” between long COVID and ME/CFS in symptom patterns and physiological changes. Experts at Yale School of Medicine report that in some cohorts about half of long COVID patients meet key criteria for ME/CFS.
Understanding ME/CFS
ME/CFS is a serious, disabling disorder. It causes profound fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) and post‑exertional malaise (symptoms worsen after minimal physical or mental effort). Researchers now recognise that ME/CFS involves immune, nervous system and metabolic dysfunction — not “just being tired”.
Shared biology: what we know
Studies suggest overlapping mechanisms between long COVID and ME/CFS. They include:
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Autonomic nervous system dysfunction (regulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing)
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Immune dysregulation
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Mitochondrial/energy‑metabolism impairment
Researchers at Yale say these similarities hint at common pathways — though they caution that mechanisms remain under investigation.
Why it matters
Because both disorders can leave people outwardly well‑looking but deeply unwell, patients often face disbelief from employers, family and even healthcare providers. Diagnosis is difficult: there are no specific lab tests, and both conditions are often diagnosed by excluding other illnesses.
Coping strategies and advocacy
In the absence of a cure, patients and support groups use strategies like pacing activity, staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding ‘crashes’ after exertion. Meanwhile, advocacy groups call for:
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Increased medical research and funding
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Better awareness and recognition in the workplace
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Improved insurance coverage and clinical support
The research frontier
Researchers hope that studying long COVID will accelerate understanding of ME/CFS — including the development of diagnostic tests and treatments. While many promising leads exist, the full picture remains incomplete.
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