Sweating sickness

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

See also

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

Further reading

• Bubonic plague
• Spanish flu
• Black Death
• Pandemic

External links

BBC History - Sweating Sickness The English Sweating Sickness, 1508–1551: A Viral Pulmonary Disease?

Sweating Sickness in Cattle

A disease of similar name, but unrelated to the human illness, is also known to affect cattle, especially calves. This condition, while sharing a name with the historical human disease, is a distinct entity and is not zoonotic.

• Sweating sickness in cattle is characterized by fever, profuse sweating, and respiratory distress. The exact cause of this condition in cattle is also not well defined, but it is thought to be linked to infectious agents or to the ingestion of toxic substances present in some pastures.
• Management of the condition involves supportive care, including hydration and sometimes the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, the condition can be fatal, but many animals recover with appropriate care.

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