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.

Long COVID

Long COVID - Lessons Learned from ME/CFS

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Last Updated: 09 June 2022 09 June 2022

What is Long COVID?

As of mid-February, 2022, over 78 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S., with well over 900,000 deaths(1).

About 10 – 20% of people who have COVID-19, including people who have only mild symptoms, do not fully recover. Many of these people experience a variety of symptoms for many months. This is being called “Long COVID.”

Estimates from January, 2022, are that 20 million or more people in the U.S. have developed Long COVID. In Massachusetts 387,000 people may have Long COVID(2).

Long COVID is a “post-viral” illness.

Read more: Long COVID - Lessons Learned from ME/CFS


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.