Former child star and current Survivor contestant Lisa Whelchel is battling West Nile virus. Whelchel revealed her diagnosis Tuesday on Twitter. She insisted that she is “fine, just tired.”
“Dr. just called with the blood test results…I have West Nile. Ugh,” she wrote.
“Takes a year to recover,” the former Facts of Life star added.
Whelchel later Tweeted she is “very touched” by all of the well wishers. "Other than tired, I'm feeling fine & expecting a full recovery. So grateful for you. Thanks!” she wrote.
It is unclear if Whelchel picked up the virus while competing on Survivor in the Philippines. Filming on the season finished in April. Whelchel, 49, did not release any other details.
The virus, which is spread from infected birds to humans by mosquitoes, was first discovered in Uganda in 1937. The first case discovered in the United States was reported in New York in 1999.
Cases of West Nile can range from mild to severe. Mild cases carry symptoms like muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and headache. Severe cases may experience confusion, stiff neck, weakness in one arm or leg and loss of consciousness.
###
Click here for more Entertainment News
