Sweating sickness

Sweating sickness, also called the sweats, English sweating sickness or sudor anglicus, was a mysterious and highly contagious disease that struck England and later continental Europe in a series of epidemics beginning in 1485. Further major outbreaks occurred in 1508, 1517 and 1528, with the last recorded outbreak in 1551, after which the disease apparently vanished. Onset was sudden, with death or recovery often occurring within 8 to 10 hours. Unlike other epidemics of the period, which were typically urban and long lasting, sweating sickness outbreaks spiked and receded quickly and significantly affected rural populations. Its cause remains unknown, though an unidentified species of hantavirus has been suggested.