Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is usually characterized by a prolonged bout of fatigue accompanied by a wide range of other symptoms. The condition can affect individuals of any age but is more common between the ages of 25 and 45, with females usually affected more than males.

An adult is diagnosed with CFS if, for at least four months, they have had chronic fatigue but with no obvious other medical issue causing the condition. The main symptoms associated with CFS include sore throat, muscle pain, lack of concentration, joint pain, headaches, and fitful sleep. Some other symptoms that can also occur are abdominal pain, bloating, cough, chest pain, earache, jaw pain, stiffness, diarrhea, weight loss, nausea and night sweats.

As a rule, the symptoms of CFS are not improved by taking bed rest and conversely may be made worse by some physical or mental activities. As it is unknown what actually causes the condition, it is very difficult to prevent; it is not, though, a contagious condition. Some causes that are thought to contribute to CFS include having had a viral infection of some description, depression, stress or a life changing event such as loss of employment or bereavement.

The prevalence of fatigue states

Following on from this, there are no specific treatments’ for the condition either, but medication can be prescribed for the associated symptoms, for example, taking painkillers for headaches.

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. It is more prevalent in Asia and Africa and can be either acute (more common), resolving itself relatively quickly with no long term liver damage, or chronic (in about 20% of cases) lasting six months or more, and sometimes even for life with symptoms coming and going randomly.

Hepatitis B is normally transmitted via contact with infected bodily fluids or blood and only a very small amount of blood is required to transmit the disease because it is that infectious. In the developed world the virus is normally spread via sharing of contaminated needles, unprotected sex and the sharing such things as razor blades. In less developed countries where blood products are not screened properly or medical equipment is not sterilized adequately, this can also lead to the spread of the virus.

Hepatitis B viruses have an incubation period of between six weeks and six months, but approximately one third of all cases show no symptoms of the disease at all. In another third of cases, symptoms appear flu-like in nature and can include aches, pains and weakness; fever; headaches; loss of appetite; jaundice; diarrhea; and, vomiting and nausea. In the last third of cases, the virus can cause severe illness that can last for a long time (many months in some cases).

Vaccines are available nowadays against hepatitis B, but treatment for those infected normally includes nothing more than rest and recuperation. Drug treatments may be required for chronic types of the disease, to prevent damage to the liver and other parts of the body.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus which can lead to AIDS. There are many ways to contract this virus, with the most common being through unprotected sex and the sharing of needles.

People who are infected with HIV may initially not realize there is anything wrong with them as they do not show any symptoms. Nevertheless, some people tend to develop some flu like symptoms which can last for several weeks. Some of these symptoms may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints, rashes and swollen lymph glands.

HIV Virus Structure

When the virus enters the body, it takes residence in white blood cells that are known as CD4 lymphocytes. The virus takes total control of these cells and starts producing billions of replicas of itself every day.

Once infection of HIV occurs, the body starts to attack the virus and because of this the virus cannot make any copies of itself. This in turn leads to a false sense of wellness as although one would still have HIV, the infected person will begin to look and feel better. Unfortunately, during this period the virus is still attacking the lymph nodes, which are the body’s immune system center.

During the course of ten to fifteen years, the HIV manages to kill so many of the CD4 cells that the body no longer has the ability to fight off infections. Once the CD4 cell count drops below a certain number (200 or lower per mL – the average is 600 to 1000) the sufferer is classed as having AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Once a person has AIDS, the risk of infection form almost anything can cause fatal complications.

HIV Virus Cycle