Definition

Noun: * An acute infectious disease occurring in epidemic form and featuring paroxysms of pain (usually in the chest): Epidemic myalgia is a viral illness characterized by sudden outbreaks and severe, cramping muscle pain, most commonly felt in the chest and abdomen.

Usage

• The term "epidemic myalgia" is a medical term used specifically to describe this distinct clinical condition. It is typically used in formal, clinical, or epidemiological contexts.
• Example:
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• The disease is often described by its characteristic symptom, leading to the common name "devil's grip," which is an informal synonym.
• Example:

Variants and Related Words

• Bornholm disease (n): Another medical name for the same condition, named after the Danish island where an early outbreak was described.
• Pleurodynia (n): A related medical term focusing on the pain in the chest wall (pleura) that is a hallmark symptom.
• Myalgia (n): General term for muscle pain or aching. "Epidemic myalgia" is a specific type of myalgia caused by a virus and occurring in outbreaks.

Synonyms

• Bornholm disease: The most common direct synonym in medical literature.
• Devil's grip: An informal, descriptive synonym referring to the intense pain.
• Epidemic pleurodynia: A synonym emphasizing the epidemic nature and the location of the pain.

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Epidemic myalgia" has only one specific meaning as a named disease. It should not be confused with general, non-epidemic muscle pain (myalgia), which can have many other causes like overexertion or influenza.

Noun

1. an acute infectious disease occurring in epidemic form and featuring paroxysms of pain (usually in the chest)