Sore throat

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A chronic sore throat is a commonly reported symptom in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It forms part of a range of flu-like symptoms that are very common in ME/CFS patients.[1]

Presentation[edit | edit source]

Sore throats can be particularly common during the initial onset of the illness, which often presents with flu-like symptoms. A sore throat usually appears most commonly in the morning upon waking, or during post-exertional malaise. Some patients see a sore throat as a warning sign to reduce their activity.

A bacterial or viral infection is rarely found.[2]

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

  • 2001, In a Belgian study, 74.1% of patients meeting the Fukuda criteria and 84.1% of patients meeting the Holmes criteria, in a cohort of 2073 CFS patients, reported sore throat.[3]
  • 1995, Katrina Berne, PhD, reported a prevalence of 50-90% for chronic sore throat in ME/CFS.[4]

Symptom recognition[edit | edit source]

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

Possible causes[edit | edit source]

Potential treatments[edit | edit source]

  • Zinc
  • Herbal teas
  • Hot lemon and honey
  • Throat spray or lozenges

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Nisenbaum, R; Reyes, M; Unger, ER; Reeves, W (February 2004), "Factor analysis of symptoms among subjects with unexplained chronic fatigue: what can we learn about chronic fatigue syndrome?", J Psychosom Res., 56 (2): 171-8, doi:10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00039-4, PMID 15016574
  2. Verrillo - Sore throat
  3. De Becker, P; McGregor, N; De Meirleir, K (September 2001), "A definition-based analysis of symptoms in a large cohort of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.", Journal of Internal Medicine, 250 (3): 234-240, PMID 11555128
  4. Berne, Katrina (December 1, 1995), Running on Empty: The Complete Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS), 2nd ed., Hunter House, p. 58, ISBN 978-0897931915
  5. A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners: An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document Pg 8. 2005.
  6. The CDC (Fukuda 1994) Definition for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  7. The 1988 Holmes Definition for CFS