Sweating sickness

Sweating sickness
	Illness of the Duke of Normandy.jpg
	Illustration by the Virgil Master depicting the sweating sickness
Synonyms	English sweating sickness, English sweat, (Latin) sudor anglicus ; ;
Symptoms	chills, body pains, weakness ; ; ; ;
Causes	Unknown ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

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.^[1]

Symptoms[edit]

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.^[2]

History[edit]

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.^[3]

Causes and Transmission[edit]

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.^[4]

Impact[edit]

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.^[5]