Scientists and researchers are now asking whether a virus is the cause of the mysterious chronic fatigue syndrome that besets doctors and patients alike with frustration, costly medications and an unknown diagnosis and treatment plan.

As reported in the New York Times, "

A study published last week in the journal Science suggested that might be the case, reporting that many patients who had the syndrome were infected with a recently discovered virus.

Chronic fatigue syndrome has long been a medical mystery and the subject of debate, sometimes bitter, among doctors, researchers and patients. It affects at least one million Americans, causing extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating and other symptoms. Its cause is unknown, symptoms can last for years and there is no effective treatment. Researchers disagree about whether it is one disease or a collection of symptoms that may have different causes in different patients. It has sometimes been stigmatized as more mental than physical, with patients labeled neurotic, depressed or hypochondriacal. Many patients find even the name of the disorder offensive, a not-so-subtle hint that it is not a real disease."

To have the syndrome caused by a virus, doctors and patients can really finally achieve a sanctified treatment plan.

To read the full article, please click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/health/13fatigue.html?scp=5&sq=October+13+2009&st=nyt