Science / Medicine : Test for Fatigue Syndrome Pushed

A blood test may soon be available that will help identify people who suffer from the baffling ailment known as chronic fatigue syndrome. The disorder, which may affect more than three million Americans, is characterized by debilitating fatigue, often accompanied by flu-like symptoms that substantially reduce a person’s ability to function normally and may persist for years.

Despite numerous studies, researchers have been unable to find out what causes CFS. Moreover, there is no way to identify those with the syndrome except by the imperfect method of checking symptoms and trying to rule out any other illness.

Dr. Jay Levy of UC San Francisco said he and his colleagues are only months away from completing development of a test that can identify white blood cell abnormalities that are characteristic of CFS.