September 26, 2007
When the traveling photo exhibit,
“The Faces of Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome,” opens in Dallas on
September 24 at the J. Erik Jonsson
Branch of the Dallas Public Library
viewers will be introduced to an
illness many are unfamiliar with.
Kimberly McCleary is considered
one of the foremost authorities on
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and she
says African Americans and Latinos
especially should be concerned about
especially when you consider that it
“strikes more Blacks and Hispanics.”
She is the CEO of the CFIDS
Association of America. The
nonprofit organization funds
research and educates the public
about the cause and subsequent treat-
ments.
In the early 1980s, she said, CFS,
also known as chronic fatigue and
immune dysfunction syndrome,
appeared to be diagnosed more in
upperclass white women and was
referred to as the “Yuppie flu.”
According to Ms. McCleary,
CFS, while difficult to diagnose, is
marked by several symptoms.
The symptoms, which are much
like the same you would experience
if you had the flu.
In addition to experiencing a
“different kind” of fatigue where you
have no energy or stamina, excruciat-
ing pain in the muscles, joints, limbs
and throat.
A disconcerting symptom is the
impaired memory or concentration,
and sleep problems, all causing some
to consider the illness to be psycho-
logical, although this is not the case,
she said.
“You will have good days and bad
days,” said Ms. McCleary, adding
that the pain or fatigue is not the
normal pain or fatigue that people
experience.
Interestingly CFS was diagnosed
when “clusters” were noticed in Lake
Tahoe and upstate New York, said
Ms. McCleary.
“About 200 people got sick
around the same time and they didn’t
appear to be getting better,” she said,
adding that because of the small
communities, it was easier to detect
the similiarities in the diagnoses.
“The Center for Disease Control
went in to look but never got to the
bottom of it.”
It’s difficult to explain why CFD,
which impacts one to four million
American now appears to dispropor-
tionately affect African Americans
and Latinos and not Asians and
Anglos. Additionally, more women
are affected.
Ms. McCleary says it “looks like
there is a genetic factor.”
And the CDC recently announced
new research that substantiates
claims that the “illness is real and a
public health concern.”
The exhibit, which is the result of
a $6 million public awareness
campaign by the CDC, will feature
photos and stories about CFS and
those impacted by the illness, as well
as those working to treat patients. It
will run through September 30.
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