About IACFS/ME

Chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as CFS/ME or ME/CFS) is a common, chronic, disabling condition which affects millions of people worldwide. It often starts after an infection. People affected by ME/CFS frequently experience

• chronic, severe fatigue;
• problems with sleep;
• difficulty thinking; and
• feeling sick if they sit or stand up for a while.
• The hallmark symptom of ME/CFS is post-exertional malaise, worsening of these symptoms and other ones after mild physical, cognitive, emotional activity or changes in position.

While there is no single, easily accessible test to diagnose this condition nor any current treatments specific to ME/CFS, there are still many steps clinicians and patients can take to improve a patient's symptoms, function, and quality of life.

IACFS/ME is an international,  non-profit organization of scientific, medical, and other professionals dedicated to the care and research of people affected by ME/CFS and related conditions. Since 1990, IACFS/ME has worked to assure that medical care, research priorities, healthcare policy, and medical education related to ME/CFS are informed by the best and most current science. To reach these goals, we hold regular scientific conferences, publish a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal (Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health, and Behavior), author/ support influential position statements, and participate in medical education efforts. 

There are many ways to get involved in and support IACFS/ME!

1. Join us as a Professional or Associate member! Membership comes with a number of benefits. Patients and their supporters are welcomed to join as Associate members. More about membership. 
2. Subscribe to and read our quarterly journal. Membership includes free or heavily discounted access. You do not have to be a member to subscribe however. More about Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health, and Behavior. 
3. Donate money. Funds help us hold conferences, provide travel awards to young/ new researchers, support this website and assist with other activities.
4. Come to one of our conferences! Don't forget to invite your colleagues!
5. Volunteer! We are always looking for people who are enthusiastic about our mission. Volunteer activities can be tailored to your interests and time/ energy availability. Since we are an international non-profit, most volunteering activities can be done remotely from anywhere in the world.  If you are interested, contact us at iacfsmeorg@gmail.com 
6. Participate in writing, editing, or reviewing article(s) for our journal. To submit an article, see this link. To find out more about editing or reviewing, contact iacfsmeorg@gmail.com.
7. Tell others about our activities! Share information from our website, journal, and conferences with your colleagues and friends. Ask them to join IACFS/ME.