Former Fox News host Janice Dean has disclosed another serious health setback, revealing that she is now recovering from viral meningitis months after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis led her to leave the network.
Dean, 56, stepped down from Fox & Friends in July following more than 20 years with Fox, as symptoms linked to her MS became increasingly difficult to manage.
In an emotional Instagram update shared Sunday, the longtime television personality said she had “never been this sick before” and warned that her recovery could take months.
“I’ve been taking a bit of a break from social media because I was diagnosed with viral meningitis,” Dean wrote.
“I’ve never been this sick before and it could take months to recover. Grateful to all the doctors, nurses, teachers at my kid’s school and neighbors who have helped out, friends who have checked in and my family for taking good care of me.”
She continued, “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
Dean was first diagnosed with MS in 2005. In late June, she announced that the autoimmune condition had progressed to the point where she needed to step away from her Fox News role.
“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 been “increasingly feeling the effects” of her physical limitations before looking back on her long career at Fox.
Dean said she would miss the friends she made and the many places she visited during her years with the network.
“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 also made headlines in October after criticizing Megyn Kelly over remarks Kelly made about actress Christina Applegate’s account of being misdiagnosed with MS.
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
Applegate, 54, stunned fans in late October when she said her doctor had told her she does 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 addressed Applegate’s comments on The Megyn Kelly Show, accusing the actress of taking her audience on “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.
Kelly continued, “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 with a strongly worded post on X, saying she had stayed quiet about Kelly for a long time.
“I’ve kept my mouth shut for a long time about #meangirl @megynkelly,” Dean wrote. She also alleged that Kelly “ghosted me after she endorsed @andrewcuomo for mayor and I told her she broke my heart.”
“Her comments about @1capplegate are disgusting. Having #MS for over 20 years, she knows how long it took for doctors to diagnose me,” Dean added.
“I think Christina is brave for telling the truth and I’m grateful she became a voice for so many of us.”
Dean said she would share more about the dispute once her health improved.
“I will have much more to say about this when I’m well enough. I’ve been sick for several weeks in and out of the hospital but when I’m well enough I will comment more.”