How can one prevent Epidemic Pleurodynia?

Epidemic Pleurodynia disease is a viral illness with myalgia, causing pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen. In epidemic pleurodynia there is an acute infection that affects skeletal muscles and is most often caused by Coxsackie B viruses and rarely by Coxasackie A or echoviruses.

The viruses that cause epidemic pleurdynia are transmitted from person to person by fecal-oral contamination or direct mouth to mouth contact. Other people become infected with the virus if they touch contaminated items then put their fingers in their mouths before washing them properly. Contaminated items can include soiled diapers, shared toys and toilets. The viruses can spread very easily among young children, who tend to put toys or fingers into their mouth. The disease is most likely to spread in day care centers.

The best way to prevent infection is to wash hands thoroughly, especially before meals or after changing a diaper or using the bathroom. There is no vaccine to prevent pleurodynia.

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