What is ME/CFS?

white, green, pink pearls
pink, green, white pearls

Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is not just “being tired.” It’s a long-term, fluctuating neurological disease that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, especially the nervous and immune systems.


ME/CFS can be severely debilitating: About 25% of people with ME/CFS are housebound or bed-bound as a result of their illness. 70% are unable to work.

Like Long Covid, ME/CFS is often triggered by a viral infection, but can also occur after physical trauma (e.g. surgery, a car accident), periods of intense emotional stress, or, rarely, vaccination. Its onset can be sudden or gradual. 


ME/CFS is two to four times more likely to develop in women than in men.

The persistent psychologization of 
ME/CFS leaves many patients without care or financial support.

Notable symptoms

  • Comorbidities (POTS, MCAS, etc.)

  • Extreme physical & mental exhaustion, post-exertional malaise (PEM, a disproportionate worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity)

  • Cognitive difficulties

  • Gastrointestinal issues

  • Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or swollen glands

  • Muscle & joint pain

  • Headaches & migraines

  • Hypersensitivity to stimuli (light, sound, etc.)

  • Little-to-no
improvement with rest

“ME/CFS is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that progresses to a complex multi-system neuro-endocrine-immuno-microvascular disorder with cardiac involvement.”

—Professor Malcolm Hooper, addressing the UK Parliament in 2007

In one study, ME/CFS patients were shown to have lower median quality of life scores than any other disease tested, including some cancers.

Two ME/CFS stickers designed by Berlin Buyers Club on a bus stop post.

Important resources

Sources