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Chronic fatigue and immunology
Chronic fatigue syndrome is known, especially in USA, as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). The term is based on the belief that the illness is caused by problems with the immune system. Although this view is less prevalent, the acronym CFIDS is still used.
Many possible explanations for have been proposed in relation with immune system, few of them being:
- infectious agents (including several viruses, Lyme and related bacteria, mycoplasma, yeast and other fungi);
- toxic agents (mercury, particularly from dental amalgams and vaccines, various organic solvents, herbicides, and several other chemical compounds);
- immune dysfunction (autoimmune disorders, representing a hyperactive immune system, and immunodeficiency have been suggested)
Studies reveal that have two basic problems with immune function: immune activation with poor cellular function and frequent immunoglobulin deficiencies. Although the cause of CFS remains unknown, many researches present evidence for abnormalities in immunological markers among individuals diagnosed with CFS. Interactions between psychological factors (distress associated with CFS-related symptoms or other stressful life events) and immunologic dysfunction contribute to CFS-related physical symptoms (e.g., fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulties, fever) and dysfunction in the immune system’s ability to survey viruses.
But until now the association between the latter abnormalities and the diverse physical and health status changes in the CFS population found little support, even if some studies showed that CFS patients can be categorized based on immunological findings (Roberto Patarca, Timothy Mark, Mary Ann Fletcher and Nancy Klimas, Review: Immunology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). | 
