Bornholm disease, also known as pleurodynia, is a rare infection of the rib muscles that causes symptoms such as severe chest pain, fever and generalized muscle pain. This disease is more common in childhood and adolescence and lasts about 7 to 10 days.
Usually, the virus that causes this infection, which is known as Coxsackie B virus, is transmitted by food or objects contaminated by feces, but it can also appear after being in contact with someone infected, as it can pass through a cough. In some cases, although it is rare, it can also be transmitted by Coxsackie A or Echovirus.
This disease is curable and usually disappears after one week, without needing specific treatment. However, some pain relievers can be used to help relieve symptoms during recovery.
Main symptoms
The main symptom of this disease is the appearance of very intense pain in the chest, which worsens when breathing deeply, coughing or when moving the trunk. This pain can also arise from seizures, which last up to 30 minutes and disappear without treatment.
In addition, other symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing; Fever above 38º C; Headache; Constant cough; Sore throat that can make it difficult to swallow; Diarrhea; Generalized muscle pain.
In addition, men can also experience pain in the testicles, as the virus is capable of causing inflammation of these organs.
These symptoms may appear suddenly, but they disappear after a few days, usually after a week.
How to confirm the diagnosis
In most cases, Bornholm disease is diagnosed by a general practitioner only by observing the symptoms and can be confirmed through stool analysis or a blood test, in which antibodies are elevated.
However, when there is a risk that the chest pain is being caused by other diseases, such as heart or lung problems, the doctor may order some tests, such as a chest X-ray or electrocardiogram, to rule out other hypotheses.
How the treatment is done
There is no specific treatment for this disease, as the body is able to eliminate the virus after a few days. However, the doctor may prescribe pain relievers, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, to relieve pain and discomfort.
In addition, it is recommended to take care similar to a cold, such as resting and drinking plenty of fluids. To avoid the transmission of the disease it is also advisable to avoid places with a lot of people, not to share personal objects, use a mask and wash your hands often, especially after going to the bathroom.
