epidemic myalgia

Last reviewed 01/2018

Bornholm disease is due to infection with Coxsackie B virus (1).

It is an uncommon condition that is characterised by a severe immobilising pleuritic chest pain and sometimes abdominal pain. There may be variable symptoms of fever and sometimes sore throat.

The condition will persist for several days before spontaneous resolution.

Diagnosis of the condition may made by isolation of the virus from the throat or stool. The diagnosis may be made retrospectively by observing a rising titre of specific antibody in the serum.

Reference:

• Hampton, J. (1993). The patient with chest pain and breathlessness, Medicine International, 21(8), 289-91.