It was around before even Covid-19 came out, in a fashion. I've read several articles that note that that the diverse symptoms of so-called "long Covid" are quite the same as Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue, etc. This is not to say that there is not some underlying illness, rather that, at least by its symptoms, it's not a new thing. One of the worst problems, for the sufferer, is that he or she will commonly be blamed for being psychosomatic (made up illness). I'm sure that can happen, but I can also understand how a person suffering a real (but not readily apparent) hardship (think serious back pain) will be looked down upon by others and blamed for malingering.
It was around before even Covid-19 came out, in a fashion. I've read several articles that note that that the diverse symptoms of so-called "long Covid" are quite the same as Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue, etc. This is not to say that there is not some underlying illness, rather that, at least by its symptoms, it's not a new thing. One of the worst problems, for the sufferer, is that he or she will commonly be blamed for being psychosomatic (made up illness). I'm sure that can happen, but I can also understand how a person suffering a real (but not readily apparent) hardship (think serious back pain) will be looked down upon by others and blamed for malingering.