In most straight-forward viral illnesses, recovery takes 2-4 weeks, with symptoms disappearing by six weeks.  However, a small percentage of PVF’s patients will take several months to recover.

If symptoms remain after 3-6 months, with the illness unchanged, a change of name/diagnosis to CFS/ME is appropriate.

This condition comes about after a person has experienced a viral illness like:

• Common cold
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Epstein-Barr Virus
• Herpes Virus
• HIV
• Other virial illnesses like Corona Virus, SARS etc

Most people will recover from a viral illness after a week or two, but if after many weeks or months you still feel unwell with these symptoms you maybe experiencing PVS:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Confusion and trouble concentrating
• Body aches and pain in the muscles
• Stiff Joints
• Sore Throat
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• People who have compromised/weakened immunity or have pre-existing conditions maybe more prone to PVS.

There are no clear-cut answer as to what PVS is yet. It is possible it is caused by a delayed response from the immune system to the virus, inflammation in the brain, or an overload on the immune system from the virus. At present there is no clear treatment from GP’s for PVS.

It is important to act quickly if you think you may have PVS. Getting a diagnosis is important but responding to the symptoms is more important.

If left, PVS can develop into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), this is a long-term chronic illness with poor quality of life outcomes and few treatment options.

At Complex Chronic Illness Support we can provide you with the right information on how to manage your symptoms and how to live in a way that supports your body to heal itself. There are no quick fixes but CCIS are experts in symptom management information and providing the right support for conditions like PVS. We also support people with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, and Orthostatic Intolerance.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes fatigue, widespread pain, and tenderness throughout the body and often co-exists with CFS/ME and/or many of the symptoms of this condtion. People with Fibromyalgia generally experience pain in specific points around the body and these points are used as a gauge for diagnosis.

The points around the body are:

• Back of the head
• Area between the shoulders
• Front of the neck
• Top of the chest
• Outside of the elbows
• Top and sides of the hips
• Insides of the knees.

Dysautonomia is a term for a group of diseases. In these conditions the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is dysregulated which can lead to blood pressure problems, heart problems, trouble with breathing and swallowing, and erectile dysfunction in men.

Orthostatic Intolerance (OI)

Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) is an umbrella term for the development of symptoms when in an upright posture. OI can be caused by standing in an upright position for long periods of time, after being in a warm environment, immediately after exercise, after an emotionally stressful event, after eating (blood flow moved to digest food) or if salt and fluid intake is inadequate. These symptoms subside when returning to a horizontal position. Symptoms of OI include:

• Light headedness
• Altered vision
• Headache
• Heart palpations
• Exercise Intolerance
• Fatigue
• Neurocognitive deficits
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Tremulousness
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Syncope (fainting)

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Main symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Lightheadedness and fainting
• Heart palpitations
• Exercise intolerance
• Nausea
• Diminished concentration
• Tremulousness (shaking)
• Coldness or pain in the extremities
• Chest pain and shortness of breath.