ME is not a ‘mysterious’ illness

Nicola Reiss, Sunday, 5th September 2010, timesofmalta.com

I was disappointed to see the article ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ (The Sunday Times, August 22). The correct name for the illness is myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), as listed by the World Health Organisation, which recognises the illness as a neurological disease.

There is nothing “mysterious” or in question about this. Moreover, to imply that this illness can be attributed to the “stress of living” is unacceptable when scientifically proven biomarkers have been established.

It is deeply upsetting to sufferers of this severe illness to see yet another article that, in effect, blames the patient, minimises the severity of the illness, and also ignores the fact that even young children can get this disease.

It is also strange to see such an outdated piece on ME which ignores recent scientific research. Like a page out of the dark ages, the old prejudices are printed again. Many years ago, both diabetes and multiple sclerosis were believed to be caused by hysteria. Even longer ago, leprosy was proof of evil.

Fortunately, today we can turn to science for answers. A recent report by ...