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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can go on for a long time, often for years. Although CFS can make you feel very sick and miserable, it is not dangerous.

One group of researchers looked at lots of different studies on how well people recover from CFS.¹

• Most children recover completely. Four studies looked at chronic fatigue in children. The one that followed them up for longest (six years) found that almost all of the children recovered completely or got much better. Only three out of 48 children got no better.²
• The outlook is less good for adults. Studies have found that most adults with chronic fatigue don't recover completely, and some even get worse. The study that followed adults for longest showed the most hopeful results, with 65 out of 103 people getting better, although only six recovered completely.³ This suggests that adults tend to get better gradually, although most don't return to full normal health.

Researchers have found that some things can delay a person's recovery. These include:

• Being older. The older you are, the less likely you are to recover
• Having more severe symptoms. The sicker you are, the less likely you are to recover
• Having a mental health problem as well as chronic fatigue syndrome
• Having fixed views about the cause of your illness.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.