| The New York Times published an October, 2009 | | | | prostate cancer. If the link between the retrovirus |
| article reporting on a research study linking a | | | | and CFS is proven, it would revolutionize the |
| little-known virus with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, | | | | treatment of the disease. |
| a condition that affects over one million | | | | Rather than being treated as a psychological |
| Americans. The xenotropic murine leukemia | | | | condition, a definitive treatment may now be able |
| virus-related virus, or XMRV, is a virus related to | | | | to be developed. Anti-viral medications have been |
| the HIV virus, but much less potent. In the initial | | | | around for some time now, and are becoming |
| study it was found in 68 of 101 CFS patients. A | | | | more refined all the time. Using one of these to |
| later study found the virus in 98 percent of CFS | | | | treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, either to alleviate |
| patients. Clearly, a correlation of sorts exists | | | | symptoms or, hopefully, to cure the disease, |
| between this virus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. | | | | would be a significant step forward. |
| The study does not prove that the virus causes | | | | Retroviruses cause so much damage because |
| the syndrome - only that some link between the | | | | they do not have their own DNA. Instead, they |
| two exists. But this is potentially good news for | | | | utilize the DNA of the host cells they invade, |
| the millions of individuals who have been treated | | | | damaging or destroying them in the process. The |
| as if their condition or complaints are nothing | | | | immune system becomes compromised, and the |
| more than symptoms of an overactive | | | | body acquires infections more easily and more |
| imagination or depression. Chronic Fatigue has | | | | frequently. Recurring infections weaken the body, |
| often been relegated to the far corners of | | | | and can eventually hasten its demise. |
| medicine, ignored, or considered "weakness" on | | | | The research being conducted on the XMRV |
| the part of its sufferers. It causes widespread | | | | virus, CFS, and retroviruses in general holds great |
| pain, feelings of overwhelming tiredness, and | | | | promise. This is one area where medicine is only |
| sensitivity to touch, cold and heat. Because of its | | | | making the earliest inroads; we do not understand |
| widespread nature, it is very difficult for | | | | yet what causes CFS, or even how retroviruses |
| physicians to treat. | | | | are spread. There are many theories, and |
| XMRV is actually considered a retrovirus, or a | | | | scientists are pursuing quite a few leads in several |
| virus that has ribonucleic acid, RNA, as its genetic | | | | areas. |
| material. Most of us are more familiar with DNA, | | | | In the meantime, it is important for us to keep an |
| or deoxyribonucleic acid, the "building blocks of | | | | open mind about diseases, their cause, prevention, |
| life". A retrovirus is single-stranded RNA, as | | | | and treatment. And as always, the best cure is |
| opposed to the more widely-known double-helix | | | | prevention. Frequent hand-washing, eating healthy, |
| of DNA. The XMRV retrovirus has been implicated | | | | fresh, low-fat foods, and consistent exercise are |
| in the development of several diseases, including | | | | the best ways to keep ourselves healthy. |