ME/CFS is a chronic condition characterized by debilitating fatigue and, specifically, post-exertional malaise. Patients who suffer from ME/CFS will have very debilitating negative reactions to any exertion past a certain threshold. The negative reaction can be delayed by 24 hours in some and it can be severe enough to make jobs or daily activities anywhere from difficult to nearly impossible.

Importantly, the delayed worsening can clearly be measured by light exercise testing. It isn’t the same as normal post-exercise recovery or soreness. It’s far worse and can even be triggered by strenuous mental activity (perhaps energy expenditure in general).

For many, it has a distinct viral trigger. They can be fine and healthy one week, then become chronic CFS sufferers after an infection with a number of notable viruses (EBV is common).

Sound familiar? It has a lot of parallels to “Long COVID”, but it just never got the same attention because it’s not attached to a global pandemic in the 24/7 news cycle.