Definition of Myalgia

Myalgia: Pain in a muscle; or pain in multiple muscles. Myalgia means muscle pain. There are many specific causes of various types of myalgia. Myalgia can be temporary or chronic. Myalgia can be a result of a mild conditions, such as a virus infection, or from a more serious illness. Examples include epidemic myalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Epidemic myalgia, also known as Bornholm disease, is an acute viral infection that runs in epidemics and, among other things, produces marked muscle pain. Hence, the name "epidemic myalgia."

By contrast, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is disorder of multiple muscles (polymyalgia) and joints of older persons characterized by pain and stiffness. Hence, the name "polymyalgia rheumatica."

"Myalgia" is made up of "my(o)-" from the Greek "myos" meaning muscle and "-algia" from the Greek "algos" meaning pain.