The phrase "a sudden attack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected onset of a condition or feeling, often related to health or emotions.
Example: "She experienced a sudden attack of anxiety before her presentation."
Alternatives: "a sudden onset of" or "an unexpected bout of".
British politics is enjoying a sudden attack of prose.
Under questioning from Kalinda, Alicia had a sudden attack of insecurity — had she filed the piece of paper correctly?
From their days caring for infants, she said, parents are conditioned to be prepared for a sudden attack of hunger.
Navigating the bamboo heights does present challenges, so the Met has trained its guides carefully for all kinds of eventualities, including a sudden attack of acrophobia.
Gripped by a sudden attack of appendicitis, he was not able to appear in public until two days before the election, and then only in a wheelchair.
He knew better than to expect a sudden attack of delight, or words falling over themselves to get put on paper.
When the family was displaced by a sudden attack on their village of Leer, in South Sudan's Unity State, Mary fled with her eight children, including her two 6-month-old twins tucked inside the baskets.
A mother and her children forced to flee their home find safety – and safe water – at a UN base in Bentiu, South Sudan BENTIU, South Sudan, 24 September 2015 – When the family was displaced by a sudden attack on their village of Leer, in South Sudan's Unity State, Mary fled with her eight children, including her two 6-month-old twins tucked inside two baskets.
AHRENS: No, with the exception of the duty of defending themselves, of taking all measures to hinder a sudden attack and of holding themselves in readiness to defend themselves with the forces at their disposal, so as to prevent the capture of the regimental battle headquarters.
In 1195 John successfully conducted a sudden attack and siege of Évreux castle, and subsequently managed the defences of Normandy against Philip.
When the townspeople had been induced by this routine to believe that the Roman commander did this for the purpose of drill, and consequently took no precautions against his efforts, he transformed this practice of parading into a sudden attack, and gaining possession of the walls, forced the inhabitants to surrender.
