Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

XMRV Update

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Last Updated: 24 November 2015 24 November 2015

There has been much controversy over whether the newly found XMRV virus infects humans and whether it is a causal agent of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has now undertaken a multi-center study to investigate why results in other studies differed so much, whether those studies actually duplicated the methods of the initial study, and whether positive study results were the result of contaminated reagents. It may take a year or more to learn the results.

Therefore, rather than posting every new article on the XMRV controversy, we are offering links that give a very comprehensive timeline and overall picture.

At Phoenix Rising, this link explains some of the history of XMRV.

 

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS. 

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.