We discussed all of those aspects. I haven't watched the video yet, but my friend has. She reckons it's a distinct possibility that the people who didn't report having a virus before the onset of ME actually had one with very mild symptoms (a bit of a cold maybe) that they wouldn't really have noted, or maybe no symptoms at all - Covid can be asymptomatic, so I would think pother viruses can be, too.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Yes, very possible to miss a virus or not know. The genetic analysis will try and determine if what we call ME is one thing or and umbrella term. One good thing about the rigorous study is that other projects can use and build on the data. There are often co-morbidities, so in the future it might be possible to see if there is overlap with MS or certain cancers, for example. Other countries can also copy the project and its design, for its own cohort. It is really just the beginning. Even if no genetic disposition is found, it will be able to eliminate certain theories. Just so sad that it has taken so many decades to get serious attention and funding.
The project was started before Covid hit, but it will hopefully be helpful in addressing and clarifying Long Covid too.
If there are DNA markers found for ME it will finally be able to nix the idea that patients are making the whole thing up or are shirking. Some countries don't acknowledge its existence. Doctors laugh at it. It will be an interesting era for AI, genetics and global research sharing - being able to get to ID specific causes and exacerbaters - ever faster and cheaper. Hopefully it will be able to undo eras of stigma for many diseases.
Some interesting (small scale) research on Long Covid/ME. They
identify severe muscle damage, mitochondrial problems and microclotting
as causing fatigue and recommend no intense exercise. Why this kind of
study couldn't have been done 20 years ago, I don't know.
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