A Scene Too Real
In May 2006, schools across Portugal began reporting strange symptoms—rashes, dizziness, shortness of breath. Hundreds of students were affected just as exam season began. Doctors ruled out infection or toxins. The cause was unexpected: a teen soap opera.
The ‘Strawberries With Sugar’ Effect
Just days earlier, an episode of the show Morangos com Açúcar (“Strawberries With Sugar”) had depicted students suffering from a mysterious illness. After watching, real students began showing identical symptoms. Doctors diagnosed a case of mass psychogenic illness.
Mass Illness, No Virus
This condition, also known as mass hysteria, causes physical symptoms with no biological cause—triggered by stress or suggestion. The outbreak in Portugal fit patterns seen in schools and factories worldwide, where pressure and social bonding fuel such episodes.
The Media as a Trigger
Experts say modern media may be changing how these illnesses spread. The Portugal case stands out because the fictional show didn’t worsen an outbreak—it caused it. Most students recovered, but the case remains largely unstudied by global health professionals.
In May 2006, schools across Portugal began reporting strange symptoms—rashes, dizziness, shortness of breath. Hundreds of students were affected just as exam season began. Doctors ruled out infection or toxins. The cause was unexpected: a teen soap opera…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/wOLY6ed9kV
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) March 25, 2025