Napoleon - Trench Fever
Napoleon Bonaparte—A Possible Case of Trench Fever
Eric Faure
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 31, Number 5—May 2025
Research Letter
Abstract
In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte reported having a recurrent febrile illness that initially subsided for 4 days and then had multiple relapses of similar duration. A speculative diagnosis of trench fever would be supported by poor hygiene conditions, prolonged exposure to cold, and the presence of lice in Napoleon’s barracks environment.
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