Former Fox News host Janice Dean has disclosed another serious health setback, revealing that she is battling viral meningitis months after stepping away from the network as her multiple sclerosis symptoms worsened.
Dean, 56, departed Fox & Friends in July following more than 20 years with Fox News, citing the increasing impact of MS on her health.
In an emotional Instagram update shared Sunday, the veteran broadcaster said she had “never been this sick before” and warned that her recovery could take several months.
“I’ve been taking a bit of a break from social media because I was diagnosed with viral meningitis,” she wrote.
“I’ve never been this sick before and it could take months to recover. Grateful to all the doctors, nurses, teachers at my kids’ school and neighbors who have helped out, friends who have checked in and my family for taking good care of me.”
She continued, “To all of you who prayed for me, it’s helping. Love to you all.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes viral meningitis as inflammation, or swelling, of the protective lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Former Fox host Janice Dean has revealed that she’s facing a new gruesome health battle, months after her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis forced her to quit the network.
Dean, 56, left Fox & Friends in July after more than two decades due to worsening symptoms related to her MS.
Fox News star Janice Dean steps away amid MS battle
Dean was diagnosed with MS in 2005. In late June, she announced that the autoimmune disease had progressed to the point where she needed to leave her role at Fox News.
“For a long time, I was able to handle the early mornings, the many hours on my feet and the stress of broadcasting live,” she said in a video posted to social media.
“Ultimately, my symptoms progressed to the point that I can no longer continue working in my role, and my doctors agreed that stepping away was necessary for my health.”
She added that she had increasingly struggled with the limitations caused by the condition before looking back on her long career at Fox.
Dean also remembered the friends she made and the many places she visited during her years at the network.
DON’T MISS: Gary Brecka – the human biologist spouting misinformation – NewsFinale
“There’s so many things I’ll miss,” she said. “The storms I covered. And the millions of viewers who have invited me into their homes every morning.
“Through the good times and the bad, the dark clouds and sunshine, you’ve always been there for me.”
Dean previously made headlines in October when she criticized Megyn Kelly as a “mean girl” over comments Kelly made about Christina Applegate’s experience with an MS diagnosis.
Now, the Fox News veteran has shared a terrifying update on her health, revealing that she is now battling viral meningitis. She’s seen in 2018.
Megyn Kelly criticized over Christina Applegate MS comments
Applegate, 54, stunned fans in late October when she said a doctor had told her she did not have MS, despite experiencing debilitating symptoms for more than five years.
“I haven’t gotten better. If anything, I’ve gotten worse,” Applegate said. “So I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
Megyn Kelly later discussed the revelation on The Megyn Kelly Show, accusing the actor of taking her followers on what she described as “a wild goose chase.”
“I cannot keep up, you guys. She has no idea what she actually has and I just think this is like the problem with celebrities, wanting to lean into their health problems, and ‘now I will be the face of MS,’” Kelly said.
“She’s crying now because I guess she no longer gets to be the face of this disease and as she says, she’s back to square one. She’s made like a cottage industry of talking about her MS.”
Dean responded in a forceful post on X, saying she had remained silent about Kelly for a long time.
“I’ve kept my mouth shut for a long time about #meangirl @megynkelly,” Dean wrote. She also claimed Kelly had “ghosted” her after endorsing @andrewcuomo for mayor, saying she had told Kelly that the endorsement “broke my heart.”
“Her comments about @1capplegate are disgusting,” Dean continued. “Having #MS for over 20 years, she knows how long it took for doctors to diagnose me.”
“I think Christina is brave for telling the truth and I’m grateful she became a voice for so many of us.”
Dean added that she planned to say more once her health improved, explaining that she had been ill for several weeks and had spent time in and out of the hospital.
