Bornholm disease overview

Overview
Bornholm disease or epidemic pleurodynia or epidemic myalgia is a disease caused by the Coxsackie B virus or other viruses. It is named after the Danish island Bornholm where early cases occurred. The lining around your lungs is called the pleura. Pleurodynia is a general term for pain from this lining, pain in the chest or upper abdomen when you breathe. Epidemic pleurodynia is an infection caused by one of several viruses. This type of infection can cause a similar type of pain as the pain that comes from the lining around the lungs. However, in epidemic pleurodynia, the pain comes from the muscles in the chest that join ribs together. Epidemic pleurodynia also is called Bornholm disease, Sylvest's disease, devil's grip and epidemic benign dry pleurisy. It usually is caused by one of the group B coxsackieviruses and is less often caused by a group A coxsackievirus or an echovirus. Group B coxsackieviruses are transmitted from person to person by fecal-oral contamination or direct mouth to mouth contact. Other people become infected with the virus if they touch contaminated items then put their fingers in their mouth before washing them properly. Contaminated items can include soiled diapers, shared toys and toilets. Epidemic pleurodynia is contagious and occurs in clusters, meaning many people in an area get it around the same time. Up to 90% of epidemics occur in the summer and early fall. The illness most commonly strikes people younger than age 30, although older people also may be affected.

Other names
It is also known as the devil's grip, devil's grippe, epidemic myalgia, epidemic pleurodynia or The Grasp of the Phantom.

Transmission
The virus that causes devils grip is picornavirus. It is spread by contact and epidemics usually occur during warm weather in temperate regions and at any time in the tropics. It can also be spread through saliva and feces.