Sweating sickness

Sweating sickness
Synonyms	English sweating sickness, English sweat, (Latin) sudor anglicus
Pronounce	N/A
Field
Symptoms	chills, body pains, weakness
Complications
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Unknown
Risks
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment
Medication
Prognosis
Frequency
Deaths

The Sweating Sickness, also known as the "Sweate" or "English Sweat", was a mysterious and highly contagious disease that struck England, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries, causing rapid and severe illness often leading to death.<ref>,

 The Sweate: The Story of the Mysterious Sweating Sickness,</ref>

Symptoms

The disease was characterized by sudden onset of fever, accompanied by severe sweating, headache, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. It had a very high mortality rate, with death often occurring within hours or a few days of the onset of symptoms.<ref>,

 Sweating Sickness: A Reappraisal, 
 Historical Journal,</ref>

History

The disease first appeared in England in 1485, and reappeared in various outbreaks until 1551, after which it disappeared. The most severe outbreak occurred in 1508. Notably, the disease appeared to affect only humans, with no reports of animal illness related to this disease.<ref>,

 The Sweate: The Story of the Mysterious Sweating Sickness,</ref>

Causes and Transmission

The cause of the Sweating Sickness remains unknown. Theories have suggested a viral origin, possibly a hantavirus, or a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans. The rapid spread and high mortality rate suggest a highly contagious agent.<ref>,

 Hantavirus and the English Sweating Sickness, 
 Emerging Infectious Diseases,</ref>

Impact

The disease had a significant impact on English society, causing widespread fear and disruption. The rapid onset and high mortality rate created a sense of panic during outbreaks, and the disease is thought to have influenced historical events of the time, including the reign of Henry VIII.<ref>,

 Henry VIII and the Sweating Sickness,</ref>

See also

• Epidemiology of infectious diseases
• History of medicine
• Zoonotic disease

Further reading

• Bubonic plague
• Spanish flu
• Black Death
• Pandemic

Sweating sickness

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