Imagine if you were just sitting there and suddenly felt an unbearable pain in your chest, right next to your ribs, like a knife stabbing you. You couldn't breathe, you couldn't laugh, you couldn't cough. Many people are afraid that this is a heart attack. But not all chest pains are heart problems. Today we are talking about a similar scary, but unrelated, condition caused by a viral infection. That is Pleurodynia.
What is Pleurodynia?
Simply put, Pleurodynia is a condition that occurs as a side effect of certain viral infections. Medically speaking, this is a viral myalgia , which means muscle pain caused by a virus. This pain can be accompanied by muscle swelling (inflammation).
The most important thing is that this pain has nothing to do with your heart. It is not a life-threatening condition like a heart attack. So don't be unnecessarily scared.
It is also known by several other names. For example, it is called Bornholm syndrome, and some call it devil's grip. This is probably because the pain is so severe.
What causes pleurodynia?
Pleurodynia is caused by several types of viruses. Most of these belong to the group called coxsackieviruses . These are part of the same group as human enterovirus B.
After this virus enters our bodies, it first grows in our intestines for about a week. From there, it spreads to other parts of the body, especially our skeletal muscles and central nervous system.
This virus is most commonly spread through feces. If you don't wash your hands properly and then touch your mouth with those dirty hands, you can easily get infected. That's why we're always told to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
But the strange thing is, not everyone infected with this virus develops pleurodynia. Doctors still don't know exactly why this happens.
Who is more likely to experience this condition?
Anyone infected with the Coxsackie virus is at risk of developing pleurodynia, but there are some slight variations.
- Infection with the virus: This virus is more common in men than in women, and in children (especially those under 15 years of age) than in adults.
- Pleurodynia symptoms: However, after infection with the virus, adults are more likely than children to develop the severe chest pain symptom of pleurodynia.
To give a simple example, imagine a family with a 10-year-old son and his 40-year-old father. If both of them get the same virus, the son may just get a fever and a body ache and be fine. But the father is more likely to get severe chest pain, a condition called Pleurodynia.
What are the symptoms of Pleurodynia?
The main and most frightening symptom of this condition is pain in the chest or on the side of the chest. Let's look at this in more detail in a table.
| Symptom | Description & Prevalence |
|---|---|
| Main symptom: Chest pain | A sudden, severe, nauseating pain under the ribs. This pain can last from a few seconds to a minute. In between periods of no pain, you may feel a slight ache in the area. |
| Things that increase pain |
|
| Fever | Occurs in about 97% of patients. |
| Sore throat and respiratory symptoms | Occurs in about 85% of patients. |
| Headache | Occurs in about 50% of patients. |
| Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset | Occurs in about 50% of patients. |
| Dermatitis | It occurs in about 25% of patients. |
| Testicular pain (men) | It can occur in about 10% of male patients. |
How does a doctor detect this?
If you have chest pain, the best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may be referred to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
The doctor's first and most important goal is to make sure that this is not a serious condition, such as a heart problem or a blood clot in the lungs.
To do this, you will be asked about your symptoms and may be asked to do several tests, such as blood tests, ECG, and X-ray. Although the virus that causes pleurodynia can be identified in a stool sample, it is not the only basis for diagnosis, as the virus can be present in the stool even after the infection has cleared.
What are the treatments for this?
There is currently no specific antiviral treatment approved for humans to kill the virus that causes pleurodynia, so treatment is primarily aimed at controlling symptoms.
Your doctor will often prescribe a type of painkiller called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) , such as ibuprofen, to control pain and muscle swelling.
But remember, never take any medication you feel like taking, especially for chest pain, without consulting a doctor. Only follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor after a proper diagnosis.
Can it be cured? What is the future?
This is the best news. Most people with pleurodynia recover completely. You may feel tired and sluggish for a few days after the pain subsides. But that will gradually go away and you will be able to return to your normal life soon.
Complications from this condition are very rare. And there have been no reports of deaths due to Pleurodynia. So this is not a condition to be feared.
Take-Home Message
- Pleurodynia is a severe chest pain caused by a viral infection. Although it is not a heart attack, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention for any chest pain.
- It is most commonly caused by the coxsackievirus. Infection can be prevented by good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly.
- There is no specific treatment for this, and pain management is the mainstay.
- This is not a life-threatening disease, and most people recover completely without any complications.
- Never self-diagnose or self-treat chest pain. Always see your doctor.
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