A COVID-19 infection does not appear to increase your chances of having myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), more than other acute infections, according to US research. The study, which surveyed around 4000 people in the US who had a COVID-19 test, found that those who tested positive for COVID-19 had about the same rate of ME/CFS-like illnesses as those who tested negative. The study found rates of ME/CFS illnesses were around 3-4% for both groups. However, the authors point out that even at those levels, ME/CFS-like illness would impose a high societal burden given the millions of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2.
