(127) Can viral infections cause sudden-onset of intractable pain?

Pain associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), polio, hepatitis C, and herpes zoster is well known, so it is likely that other viruses may precipitate pain. There are some intractable pain patients whose condition appeared suddenly, without warning, and with no apparent pre-disposing condition. The on-going pain is usually severe headache, upper torso muscle and joint pain, or pelvic pain. The sudden onset in these cases suggests a possible viral etiology. Six adult (three male and three female) intractable pain patients who suddenly developed their condition without warning or precipitating event were tested for these viral titers: Epstein-Barr, varicella, rubella, rubeola, cytomegalus, herpes I & II, and coxsackie.
Source: The Journal of Pain - Category: Materials Science Authors: Source Type: research