Chapter One, Course WB1032
A Framework for Understanding CFS
It should be noted that the scope of CFS is international—it is not an illness limited to the U.S. Research is being conducted in several nations (including Belgium, France, Italy, Israel, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom). Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia have developed individual case definitions; however, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the CDC-developed case definition and both U.S. and international research remains based on the CDC-developed definition. Although CFS has been studied internationally for almost two decades, there are still many questions and few definitive answers. This uncertainty is often a source of stress and anxiety as patients seek to understand their illness and its impact. Considerable information about CFS is available, especially on the Internet, but it is not always credible and accurate. Health care professionals participating in the care and rehabilitation of people with CFS can assist them in developing a framework for understanding CFS, potential contributing factors, possible causes and prognosis, all of which can facilitate feelings of control and hopefulness.
Content Source: National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)