ABSTRACT
Self-limited fatigue, which generally lasts up to 4 to 6 weeks, very commonly occurs after acute medical illnesses and after surgical operations. For example, follow-up studies of patients who have had lower respiratory tract infections indicate that persisting cough and fatigue last a median of 2 weeks and longer in those with more severe infections. Similarly, fatigue is well known to occur after influenza, infectious mononucleosis, aseptic meningitis, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular surgery. Other, more clearly psycho-
social stressors, such as motor vehicle accidents (in the absence of physical injury), major job changes, serious family illness, moving to a new house, and major changes in a relationship, can all be associated with fatigue. It is important for the physician to help provide the necessary insight and reassurance in order to help prevent these subacute forms of fatigue from developing into chronic fatigue.
