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You are here: Home / ME/CFS / CDC Criteria For Diagnosing CFS

CDC Criteria For Diagnosing CFS

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The current criteria for CFS is as follows:

Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent, or relapsing fatigue that is:

  • Of new or definite onset
  • Not a result of ongoing exertion
  • Not alleviated by rest
  • Results in a substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, social, or personal activity

Four or more of the following symptoms that persist or recur during 6 or more consecutive months of illness & that do not predate the fatigue:

  • Self-reported impairment of short-term memory or concentration
  • Sore throat
  • Tender lymph nodes
  • Muscle pain
  • Multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
  • Unrefreshing and/or interrupted sleep
  • Post-exertion malaise (this is a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness) lasting more than 24 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active, unresolved or suspected disease that is likely to cause fatigue
  • Psychotic, melancholic, or bipolar depression (but not uncomplicated major depression)
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Dementia
  • Anorexia or bulimia nervosa
  • Alcohol or other substance misuse
  • Severe obesity

Additional symptoms that are not listed with the official diagnostic CDC criteria:

  • Pain
  • Allergies
  • Chemical sensitivities
  • Secondary infections, including Candida and viral infections
  • Cognitive impairment, including short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating and doing word searches and math problems
  • Digestive disturbances, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, usually alternating
  • Night sweats or spontaneous daytime sweats, unaccompanied by fever
  • Weakness, muscle fatigue, and pain
  • PMS that worsens
  • Sleep disorders, including excessive sleep (hypersomnia), light sleep, or an inability to sleep for more than an hour
  • A period of 1 – 3 hours after awakening during which sufferers are too exhausted to get out of bed
  • Cystitis, particularly Interstitial Cystitis in which urine cultures are negative
  • Vision and eye problems including sensitivity to light, dry eyes, tunnel vision, night blindness, and difficulty focusing
  • Dizziness

An initial office exam by a physician may also find the following signs:

  • Low blood pressure, particularly on standing
  • Slightly elevated oral temperatures, but less than 100 degrees F which are part of persistent flu-like symptoms
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • A positive Romberg test (unsteadiness when standing with eyes closed)

Other symptoms that I have found that are common:

  • Low Cortisol levels
  • Low Pregnenalone levels
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Chronic active levels of Epstein Barr Virus
  • HV6 (Human Herpes Virus 6) – active levels
  • Low functioning levels of NK (Natural Killer) Cell Activity

As you can see from this huge list, CFIDS is a very complex disease – can you see why I so want the name officially changed?  It is so much more than just “Chronic Fatigue”.

Filed Under: ME/CFS Tagged With: CDC diagnosis criteria for CFS, ME/CFS

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