epidemic pleurodynia, an acute infectious disease caused by strains of enterovirus Coxsackie, type B, mainly affecting children. It is characterized by severe intermittent pain in the abdomen or lower chest, fever, headache, sore throat, malaise, and extreme myalgia. The symptoms may continue for weeks or subside after a few days and recur for a period of weeks. Transmission is through the fecal-oral route. Treatment is symptomatic; complete recovery is usual. Also called Bornholm disease, devil’s grip, epidemic myositis. Now called epidemic myalgia.
