Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Antiviral and Antibacterial Drugs
The role pathogens play in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is controversial. Although the disease is often triggered by an infection some researchers believe the triggering infection is simply the last stressor that tipped the patient over into disease.Others believe that undiagnosed and untreated infections from pathogens such as HHV-6A, Borrelia (Lyme disease), and enteroviruses are causing the disease.
Still others believe that endocrine and immune dysfunctions caused early in the disease set the stage for latent viruses to reactivate themselves. While these viruses may not cause chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) they may exacerbate its symptoms greatly.
Given the wide variety of ME/CFS patients it's possible that all the above scenario's are correct. In some cases the 'last infection' simply was the straw that broke the camels back. Successful antiviral trials, on the other hand, suggest that a chronic infection is making at least a subset of ME/CFS patients ill. A good deal of evidence also suggests it's not uncommon for chronic fatigue syndrome patients to display increased 'loads' of common pathogens.
This field, like so much else in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is still in flux. Research trials are currently underway for most of the antiviral and antibacterial agents described below. Click on each to learn more about their role in ME/CFS.
Azithromycin
Nexavir (formerly Kutapressin)
Valcyte (Valganciclovir)
Valtrex (Valcyclovir)
Interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaseron, Actimmune)