6 days ago
Gemma Collins reveals she has pneumonia and shares concerning side effects
Gemma Collins has revealed she's been battling pneumonia for three weeks.
The TOWIE star, 44, whose mother Joan had pneumonia in 2020, announced the news while sharing a selfie in bed on Instagram on Wednesday.
'Hey guys sorry been quiet I have pneumonia. I'm not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily. I am still honoring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy i have but will be back entertaining you all soon,' she wrote.
The I'm A Celebrity! star explained that she felt 'tired' and 'out-of-breath' and had been visited by a doctor at home and put on a drip.
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection and symptoms typically include a combination of a dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Most people recover in two to four weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital.
Collins shared a photo of her arm attached to a drip on her Story and wrote: 'I'm having to take it easy which is not like me very slow and get so out of breath and tired so quick.'
Alongside a snap of a doctor prescribing her medication, she added: 'Thank you to everyone helping me I've had pneumonia for the last three weeks and honestly can't thank everyone all the docs helping me.'
The ITV star also posted a photo of her dog Gucci 'giving her lots of cuddles'.
Collins' mother Joan was also struck down with pneumonia back in March 2020, with the TV personality thanking the NHS for helping her despite being 'overstretched' by the Covid-19 pandemic.
'Thank you to all the nurses who helped my mum [she has] pneumonia and on the mend. NHS thank you thank you thank you so over stretched right now,' she penned at the time.
The Dancing On Ice alum explained that Joan was also suffering from rheumatoid arthritis – a long term autoimmune disorder that affects the joints – and was therefore classed as being at high risk of serious illness from Covid-19.
Collins' health battles comes after she lost three stone, going from a size 26 to a size 20, in three months thanks to weight loss jabs.
In April, the TV star revealed she was using the NHS-approved Mounjaro injections since January.
While thrilled with her slimmed down frame, Collins admitted she was concerned that the medication could be responsible for her 'looking older' as she highlighted her 'next level' crow's feet.
'I really don't know what's happened to me, I really don't, It's just come on me overnight. But it has been a year since I've had any little tweakments,' she said.
'I don't know if it's since I've been losing weight. I sure haven't got 'Ozempic face' yet, but it would be the dream right now.
'I've always had a fuller face, as you know. I do like expression around my eyes. I want to look natural still. But this just isn't right. What has happened? I am 44 but this is taking it to levels that I never, ever imagined it'd get to.'
'Ozempic-face' is a term used to describe a gaunt appearance usually caused by rapid weight loss.
