Long Covid Doubles Burden of Mystery Illness Few Doctors Treat

Doctors estimate there were 1 million to 2 million people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) before the coronavirus pandemic hit. With the advent of long Covid, there may be twice that many now.

ME/CFS may well explain the symptoms described by many people who are still ill months after having Covid-19. The condition, which can leave its victims bedridden, can be triggered by or follow an infectious disease.

But most doctors don’t know what ME/CFS is, in part, because routine lab tests show nothing wrong. Some doctors don’t believe patients, and even if physicians spot it, the condition ...