Bornholm disease is a contagious disease caused by the Coxsackie-virus (group B, rarely group A or echo-virus). Infection is transmitted by direct contact (mouth to mouth) and fecally contaminated things (fingers, toys, etc.) put in the mouth. Infection usually occurs epidemically in collectives where many people live. The virus attacks the muscles between the ribs and the pleura (lung covering) causing inflammation. The disease begins after a short incubation period (4 days) with unspecific symptoms of infection (fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and sore throat). In most cases, the disease stops here... but in some patients, pain in the chest occurs. The pain can be very severe and worsens when taking a deep breath. This pain is called "pleurodini"a. It is usually experienced on one side, coming and going in waves lasting 15-30 minutes. The whole painful period lasts typcially between 2-6 days. In some rare cases, the pains can be reoccurring over a longer period (3 weeks). There is no specific therapy for this disease because it goes away spontaneously. Only symptomatic therapy (painkillers) is used for pain relief.

I suffered this when I was 21, after a severe case of bronchitis. At the time my doctor administered coiterzone to my shoulder and ribs, this helped immensely with the pain. I could breath alot easier. Unfortunately I have has re-occurances and the local doctors in the town had not heard of Bornholm disease! So afyer I self diagnosed, I had to tell them to look it up so thay could treat me.