The world's worst diseases

The world's worst diseases

Världens hemskaste sjukdomar
Continuing First aired 06/Oct/2019 SE SV 2 season(s) 20 episode(s)
Typhus, malaria, polio and measles - throughout history, humanity has been affected by terrible, contagious and sometimes fatal diseases. Erik Ekstrand takes us on a terrifying journey where he lets two guinea pigs try out some of the worst plagues that have plagued Sweden. We go back to, among other things, the Viking Age, the Stone Age and the 1950s. Every week a new disease is tested.

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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 2 · Season 2
10 episode(s) · Air date: 04/Oct/2020
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Season Overview

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S2E10
Piskmaskinfektion
Air date: 06/Dec/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

Jake and Anna end up so far back that you hardly know what time it is. In the New Stone Age, people have just started living in villages together and because they have a poor grasp of hygiene and what infections animals and people can spread to each other, the children and the villagers suffer from whipworm infection. The village shaman does his best to cure tired and malnourished Anna and Jake with the help of song, dance and power animals. But does it really help with the nasty infection?

Summary

Jake and Anna end up so far back that you hardly know what time it is. In the New Stone Age, people have just started living in villages together and because they have a poor grasp of hygiene and what infections animals and people can spread to each other, the children and the villagers suffer from whipworm infection. The village shaman does his best to cure tired and malnourished Anna and Jake with the help of song, dance and power animals. But does it really help with the nasty infection?

S2E9
Mässling
Air date: 29/Nov/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

It is poor and scarce in Småland when the year is 1869. So Erik decides to take Lea and Max and Grandma to the "land of the future" USA. Unfortunately, the disease measles strikes and prevents them from traveling. And instead, Erik has to do his best to cure the two children with licorice roots, earth spit cream and dead spirits. Will they survive the nasty virus? And how will it go for grandma?

Summary

It is poor and scarce in Småland when the year is 1869. So Erik decides to take Lea and Max and Grandma to the "land of the future" USA. Unfortunately, the disease measles strikes and prevents them from traveling. And instead, Erik has to do his best to cure the two children with licorice roots, earth spit cream and dead spirits. Will they survive the nasty virus? And how will it go for grandma?

S2E8
Dragsjuka
Air date: 22/Nov/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the middle of a midsummer celebration in the year 1544, Anna and Jake accidentally poison themselves and an entire village with poisonous flour, and everyone who participates in the celebration suffers from draft sickness. With terrible symptoms such as itchy rashes, tingling in the body and hallucinations, it is not easy for the doctor of the time, the barber, to get the children to crawl again. Will they make it out alive? And is it perhaps that Anna is a witch?

Summary

In the middle of a midsummer celebration in the year 1544, Anna and Jake accidentally poison themselves and an entire village with poisonous flour, and everyone who participates in the celebration suffers from draft sickness. With terrible symptoms such as itchy rashes, tingling in the body and hallucinations, it is not easy for the doctor of the time, the barber, to get the children to crawl again. Will they make it out alive? And is it perhaps that Anna is a witch?

S2E7
Polio
Air date: 15/Nov/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

On a nice car trip with coffee and a bath in 1950s Sweden, Emmi and Mario are exposed to the dreaded polio virus and become paralyzed. At the doctor's, they are forced to drink coffee and are subjected to electric shocks and water gymnastics without visible improvement. Will Emmi and Mario survive the dreaded epidemic?

Summary

On a nice car trip with coffee and a bath in 1950s Sweden, Emmi and Mario are exposed to the dreaded polio virus and become paralyzed. At the doctor's, they are forced to drink coffee and are subjected to electric shocks and water gymnastics without visible improvement. Will Emmi and Mario survive the dreaded epidemic?

S2E6
Gikt
Air date: 08/Nov/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

Emmi and Max end up at a party with Queen Kristina herself when the year is 1650. There is a lot of feasting among the upper class at this time and Max and Emmi are treated to everything from fried turkey to pike sausage. After far too many goodies, they unfortunately suffer from gout and suffer from aging and swelling and bad bumps on their hands. Doctors of the time, called city doctors, try to cure the children with, among other things, urine, a bloody ax and a dog! Will these drugs be able to save Emmi and Max?

Summary

Emmi and Max end up at a party with Queen Kristina herself when the year is 1650. There is a lot of feasting among the upper class at this time and Max and Emmi are treated to everything from fried turkey to pike sausage. After far too many goodies, they unfortunately suffer from gout and suffer from aging and swelling and bad bumps on their hands. Doctors of the time, called city doctors, try to cure the children with, among other things, urine, a bloody ax and a dog! Will these drugs be able to save Emmi and Max?

S2E5
Gulsot
Air date: 01/Nov/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

Life in the country is anything but easy when the year is 1793. Max and Mario have to work hard milking cows, picking eggs and shoveling poo all day! They hardly get anything to eat and drink and as if that wasn't enough, they have the misfortune of getting jaundice. The "wise man's" attempts to cure them don't seem to be the most successful so the big question is: how will our guinea pigs fare?

Summary

Life in the country is anything but easy when the year is 1793. Max and Mario have to work hard milking cows, picking eggs and shoveling poo all day! They hardly get anything to eat and drink and as if that wasn't enough, they have the misfortune of getting jaundice. The "wise man's" attempts to cure them don't seem to be the most successful so the big question is: how will our guinea pigs fare?

S2E4
Malaria
Air date: 25/Oct/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

When Mario and Emmi end up in Uppsala in the 1760s, they suffer from one of the most common diseases of that time, namely malaria. Unfortunately, in the 18th century, very little was known about the disease, and just as little about how to treat or cure it. Mario and Emmi are offered strong drinks, forced to bathe fully clothed and finally meet their fate in "dead or alive". How will it go?

Summary

When Mario and Emmi end up in Uppsala in the 1760s, they suffer from one of the most common diseases of that time, namely malaria. Unfortunately, in the 18th century, very little was known about the disease, and just as little about how to treat or cure it. Mario and Emmi are offered strong drinks, forced to bathe fully clothed and finally meet their fate in "dead or alive". How will it go?

S2E3
Stendammslunga
Air date: 18/Oct/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

When Jake and Anna work as miners in the 19th century, they are struck by the terrible disease stone dust lung. As if that wasn't enough, they are also involved in a mining race and are seriously injured! At the mining hospital, the doctor does his best to cure the two children - they even get to try the newfangled physiotherapy. But the question is, does it help?

Summary

When Jake and Anna work as miners in the 19th century, they are struck by the terrible disease stone dust lung. As if that wasn't enough, they are also involved in a mining race and are seriously injured! At the mining hospital, the doctor does his best to cure the two children - they even get to try the newfangled physiotherapy. But the question is, does it help?

S2E2
Fläcktyfus
Air date: 11/Oct/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

The year is 1773 and when Emmi and Lea are guilty of vagrancy, they end up in prison at Långholmen in Stockholm. After a few weeks in the dirty and crowded environment, they both suffer from typhus, a really nasty disease that is transmitted by clothes lice. Although the doctor tries to cure Emmi and Lea both with death's powder and "wine in the left shoe", the future is uncertain for our two guinea pigs.

Summary

The year is 1773 and when Emmi and Lea are guilty of vagrancy, they end up in prison at Långholmen in Stockholm. After a few weeks in the dirty and crowded environment, they both suffer from typhus, a really nasty disease that is transmitted by clothes lice. Although the doctor tries to cure Emmi and Lea both with death's powder and "wine in the left shoe", the future is uncertain for our two guinea pigs.

S2E1
Kallbrand
Air date: 04/Oct/2020 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

Jake and Lea end up in the trading town of Birka, in the middle of the Viking Age. After a nasty fight in the village, the children get infected wounds and suffer from gangrene. The doctors of the time are reminiscent of healers and the children get to try both the laying on of hands and making offerings in their attempts to recover from their illness. Will Jake and Lea survive, or will they receive a true Viking burial?

Summary

Jake and Lea end up in the trading town of Birka, in the middle of the Viking Age. After a nasty fight in the village, the children get infected wounds and suffer from gangrene. The doctors of the time are reminiscent of healers and the children get to try both the laying on of hands and making offerings in their attempts to recover from their illness. Will Jake and Lea survive, or will they receive a true Viking burial?

Season 1 · Season 1
10 episode(s) · Air date: 06/Oct/2019
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Season Overview

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S1E10
Pesten
Air date: 08/Dec/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the season finale, Isabelle and Max find themselves in the harsh life of the Middle Ages. In 1350, at the same time that Isabelle and Max meet a group of jesters in the forest, the plague has just arrived in Sweden, and unluckily the happy jesters give the children the deadly disease. It was not known how the plague was transmitted or how it was cured, but Isabelle and Max try both looking at urine and salting chickens to get sick again. Does that help?

Summary

In the season finale, Isabelle and Max find themselves in the harsh life of the Middle Ages. In 1350, at the same time that Isabelle and Max meet a group of jesters in the forest, the plague has just arrived in Sweden, and unluckily the happy jesters give the children the deadly disease. It was not known how the plague was transmitted or how it was cured, but Isabelle and Max try both looking at urine and salting chickens to get sick again. Does that help?

S1E9
Dysenteri
Air date: 01/Dec/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the middle of the 30-year war, in 1630, Anna and Nouveline are recruited into the Swedish army. Dysentery is rampant among the soldiers and it is not long before both Anna and Nouveline also contract the infection. With stomach cramps, fever and diarrhoea, they visit field shears who do their best to cure them. Not exactly an easy task when half of all those affected die.

Summary

In the middle of the 30-year war, in 1630, Anna and Nouveline are recruited into the Swedish army. Dysentery is rampant among the soldiers and it is not long before both Anna and Nouveline also contract the infection. With stomach cramps, fever and diarrhoea, they visit field shears who do their best to cure them. Not exactly an easy task when half of all those affected die.

S1E8
Karies
Air date: 24/Nov/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the 1550s, sugar was something that only the very rich could afford, so when Nouveline and Sixten are invited to the home of King Gustav Vasa, they take the opportunity to feast on treats. The king uses the marzipan as medicine for his stomach ache, but unfortunately the marzipan gives the side effect caries. Nouveline and Sixten are also badly affected with many holes in their teeth and inflamed gums. The remedies of the time do not seem to help and Sixten visits the farrier to have him extract a tooth. Will it be his salvation and how will Nouveline fare?

Summary

In the 1550s, sugar was something that only the very rich could afford, so when Nouveline and Sixten are invited to the home of King Gustav Vasa, they take the opportunity to feast on treats. The king uses the marzipan as medicine for his stomach ache, but unfortunately the marzipan gives the side effect caries. Nouveline and Sixten are also badly affected with many holes in their teeth and inflamed gums. The remedies of the time do not seem to help and Sixten visits the farrier to have him extract a tooth. Will it be his salvation and how will Nouveline fare?

S1E7
Tuberkulos
Air date: 17/Nov/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

When Anna and Max move from the country into the city at the beginning of the 20th century, they are forced to take a job with a tailor in order to make a living. After only a short period of work, both Anna and Max become infected with the very common and very deadly disease tuberculosis, which means that they are prescribed to rest in a sanatorium. Anna and Max are forced to stay at the sanatorium for several years without even being able to see their family. Does it cure their severe illness?

Summary

When Anna and Max move from the country into the city at the beginning of the 20th century, they are forced to take a job with a tailor in order to make a living. After only a short period of work, both Anna and Max become infected with the very common and very deadly disease tuberculosis, which means that they are prescribed to rest in a sanatorium. Anna and Max are forced to stay at the sanatorium for several years without even being able to see their family. Does it cure their severe illness?

S1E6
Smittkoppor
Air date: 10/Nov/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In 1741, Isabelle and Mario enjoy themselves at a fancy masquerade ball together with the nobility, but unfortunately they get smallpox. At this time, the doctors have no idea how to cure smallpox so Isabelle and Mario have to put make-up over their large boils in an attempt to look healthy. Does it help or hinder them in the fight against the deadly disease?

Summary

In 1741, Isabelle and Mario enjoy themselves at a fancy masquerade ball together with the nobility, but unfortunately they get smallpox. At this time, the doctors have no idea how to cure smallpox so Isabelle and Mario have to put make-up over their large boils in an attempt to look healthy. Does it help or hinder them in the fight against the deadly disease?

S1E5
Rakit
Air date: 03/Nov/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

Because they live in a dark cabin in 19th-century Småland, Anna and Sixten suffer from the deficiency disease rickets. Their bones soften and their bodies are deformed, and it becomes difficult to both walk and eat. Even though Anna and Sixten receive help from a "wise old woman" who does her utmost to cure the children with everything from tree running to cross-country skiing, it is very uncertain whether Anna and Sixten will survive?

Summary

Because they live in a dark cabin in 19th-century Småland, Anna and Sixten suffer from the deficiency disease rickets. Their bones soften and their bodies are deformed, and it becomes difficult to both walk and eat. Even though Anna and Sixten receive help from a "wise old woman" who does her utmost to cure the children with everything from tree running to cross-country skiing, it is very uncertain whether Anna and Sixten will survive?

S1E4
Spanska sjukan
Air date: 27/Oct/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

The year is 1918 and Isabelle and Max visit a theater hoping to be entertained. Well, they get it, when the entire staff is sick and they instead get infected with the super-dangerous flu, the Spanish flu. Isabelle and Max receive care from stressed-out staff in an overcrowded hospital, and although they get to try several very special remedies, the future does not look very bright.

Summary

The year is 1918 and Isabelle and Max visit a theater hoping to be entertained. Well, they get it, when the entire staff is sick and they instead get infected with the super-dangerous flu, the Spanish flu. Isabelle and Max receive care from stressed-out staff in an overcrowded hospital, and although they get to try several very special remedies, the future does not look very bright.

S1E3
Skörbjugg
Air date: 20/Oct/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the 18th century, many battles are fought at sea and Sixten and Mario are kidnapped to become part of the crew of a warship. On the boat they are forced to work hard and after a few years both Sixten and Mario develop the fatal disease scurvy. Despite bleeding wounds and breathing difficulties, Sixten and Mario are forced to stay and work on the boat. Will it be their death?

Summary

In the 18th century, many battles are fought at sea and Sixten and Mario are kidnapped to become part of the crew of a warship. On the boat they are forced to work hard and after a few years both Sixten and Mario develop the fatal disease scurvy. Despite bleeding wounds and breathing difficulties, Sixten and Mario are forced to stay and work on the boat. Will it be their death?

S1E2
Spetälska
Air date: 13/Oct/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

In the 13th century, it is the church that decides most things in Swedish society, and it is precisely during a church visit that Anna and Max find out that they have been affected by leprosy. With large boils on their faces and a warning leprosy bell around their waists, Anna and Max are relegated to isolation in a leper colony. Will it make them healthy again?

Summary

In the 13th century, it is the church that decides most things in Swedish society, and it is precisely during a church visit that Anna and Max find out that they have been affected by leprosy. With large boils on their faces and a warning leprosy bell around their waists, Anna and Max are relegated to isolation in a leper colony. Will it make them healthy again?

S1E1
Kolera
Air date: 06/Oct/2019 · Runtime: 18 min
Summary

The year is 1834 and Nouveline and Mario have just moved from the country to the big city of Stockholm. Unfortunately, the nasty disease cholera is ravaging the town and Nouveline and Mario quickly fall ill. The doctor tries to cure them with everything from pig's feet and herbs to blood-sucking leeches, but the question is whether Nouveline and Mario will survive?

Summary

The year is 1834 and Nouveline and Mario have just moved from the country to the big city of Stockholm. Unfortunately, the nasty disease cholera is ravaging the town and Nouveline and Mario quickly fall ill. The doctor tries to cure them with everything from pig's feet and herbs to blood-sucking leeches, but the question is whether Nouveline and Mario will survive?

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