The following is a list of the sign-symptom complex compiled by Dr. Cheney during the Lake Tahoe outbreak during 1984-86:

  • Fatigue
  • Recurrent upper respiratory tract illnesses, often resistant to treatment
  • Cognitive function problems
    a. Attention span contraction>
    b. Concentration difficulties
    c. Dyscalcutia (difficulty with mathematical calculations)
    d. Sequential memory disturbance
    e. Spatial disorientation
    f. Spoken words which are incorrect or inaccurate in sense
  • Psychological problems
    a. Depression
    b. Anxiety
    c. Personality changes
    d. Emotional lability
  • Other central nervous system/parasympathetic nervous system effects
    a. Sleep disturbance
    b. Headaches (often behind eyes, and pressure-like)
    c. Visual disturbance (frequent prescription changes, blurred vision, floaters)
    d. Seizure"8 -
    e. Sensory Disturbances (Paresesthesias [tingling], Dysesthesias [numbness] of face and
    extremities)
    f. Disequilibrium
    g. Lightheadedness
    h. Nightmares
    i. Dysarthria (difficulty pronouncing words intelligibly)
    j. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
    k. Nystagmus (vibrating visual changes)
    I. Focal weakness (weakness in one area, transiently)
    m. Black outs (amnesiac episodes)
    n. Photophobia (sensitivities to bright tight)
    o. Anisocoria (dilated pupil)
    q. Neuritis
    r. Acute encephalopathy, with lethargy and confusion
  • Lymphadenopathy (especially posterior cervical and axillary)
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Abdominal pain, often with mucoid diarrhea
  • Allergies
  • Night sweats
  • Low grade fevers
  • Palpitations
  • Weight change (weight gain greater than weight loss)
  • Myalgias, arthralgias, muscle and joint aches, pains
  • Right upper quadrant pain (rare hepatitis)
  • Rash/skin ulcers
  • Metabolic rate disturbances, low core temperatures, especially in the A.M,
  • Impotence, decreased libido
  • Myocarditis, with arrhythmias-chest pain
  • Thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid gland
  • Bloody or mucoid nasal drainage
  • Herpes simplex/varicella zoster/CMV
  • Herpetiform lesions of the mouth, buccal mucosa and genitalia which are negative for herpes
    simplex; herpes-like lesions of the mouth or genitalia
  • Thrombo-embolic events
    a. CVA'S
    b. Myocardial infarction
    c. Thrombophlebitis
    d. Splinter hemorrhages
  • Hair texture changes
  • Hair loss
  • Alcohol intolerance
  • Aspartame intolerance
  • First trimester miscarriages
  • Prematurity and low birth weights
  • Complexion problems (acneform lesions)
  • Involuntary gagging-esophageal problems
  • Gall bladder disease
  • idiopathic pancreatitis
  • Peptic ulcer disease/gastritis
  • Tongue disorders
    a. Geographic tongue
    b. Discoloration/coatings
  • Nail changes/discoloration/fungal infections
  • Urinary tractinfections/dysuria
  • Candida infections: oral/pharyngeal/vaginal
  • Periorbital/eyelid edema
  • Hearing disorders other than tinnitus
    a. Crackling/popping/buzzing
    b. Lateralizing hearing deficits

Other symptoms that are frequently reported by patients include:

  • Bruising
  • Nausea or queasiness
  • Gastro-esophageal reflux
  • Excess perspiration
  • Gamey odor
  • Worsening of symptoms premenstrually
  • Stiffness or "gelling"
  • Frequent urination (nocturia)
  • Dry mouth and eyes (Sicca complex)
  • Constant thirst
  • Anorexia (no appetite)
  • Cough
  • Generalized swelling, especially fingers