Gemma Collins has confessed she feels like she's 'dying' amid her devastating battle with pneumonia in a latest health update.
The former TOWIE star, 44, revealed earlier this week that she'd battling the condition for almost a month, before taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday showing herself undergoing X-rays at her Essex home.
Gemma explained that her condition had been leaving her breathless 'really quickly' but due to medics diagnosing it as viral, antibiotics would be ineffective.
She told The Mirror: 'It's shocking, I've had it now for over three weeks and I had steroids given to me by my doctor. It was DJ Fat Tony's wedding and I had to take them to get through that,'
'But I'm off them now and the sickness is really kicking back in. It's so frustrating because I normally have so much energy and I’m always loving life, but now I get really breathless really quickly and I feel like I’m dying.'
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better 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.
Taking to her Stories Gemma shared snaps as she underwent X-rays while praising medical staff for their care.
Announcing the news of her condition on Wednesday, Gemma shared a photo of herself in bed looking poorly in bed.
She wrote: '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 honouring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy I have but will be back entertaining you all soon.'
On her Story she added an update as she showed she was on a drip and had been visited by a doctor.
One post that showed a drip in her arm read: 'I'm having to take it easy which is not like me very slow and get so out of breath and tired so quick.'
Gemma explained that her condition had been leaving her breathless 'really quickly' but due to medics diagnosing it as viral, antibiotics would be ineffective.
Taking to her Stories Gemma shared snaps as she underwent X-rays while praising medical staff for their care.
Gemma explained how doctors had prescribed her steroids which made it possible for her to attend DJ Fat Tony's wedding last week.
Gemma also shared a snap with her pet pooch Gucci who she said was 'giving her lots of cuddles.'
Another showed a doctor at her house as she said: 'Thank you to everyone helping me I've had pneumonia for three weeks and honestly can't thank everyone all the docs helping me.'
It comes after just last week she was seen in good spirits attending the Chelsea Flower Show.
Gemma, who has gone from a size 26 to a size 20 in just three months on weight loss jab Mounjaro, displayed her slimmer frame in a sheer gown with caped sleeves that she wore over a slip.
She also attended DJ Fat Tony's wedding over the weekend where she was a bridesmaid.
It comes after the star claimed she's 'saving the NHS' by taking Mounjaro after losing a 'life-changing' two stone.
Gemma said she'll no longer need to go to the NHS with an 'obesity related illness' thanks to the help of the medication.
Announcing the news of her condition on Wednesday, she wrote: 'Hey guys sorry been quiet i have Pneumonia. I'm not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily.'
Then showing a doctor at her house as she said: 'Thank you to everyone helping me I've had pneumonia for three weeks and honestly can't thankeveryone all the docs helping me.'
On her Story she added an update as she showed she was on a drip and had been visited by a doctor.
She revealed in January that she'd been taking the NHS approved Mounjaro injections and has left fans stunned with her incredible transformation.
She told The Mirror: 'I've lost so much weight, you wouldn't believe it. It's the only thing I've managed to lose weight on without putting myself on a stressful diet.'
'I think I'm actually saving the NHS. I won't be going to the NHS with an obesity related illness so I won't be putting any strain on it. I'm loving life, honey.'
WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
The condition causes these sacs to be become inflammed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe.
Pneumonia is caused by bacteria or viruses, with the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae.
It affects between five and 11 out of every 1,000 adults every year in the UK.
Anyone can suffer from pneumonia, however, at-risk groups include:
- Babies and young children
- People over 65
- Those with long-term heart, lung or kidney disease
- People with cancer, particularly those having chemotherapy
- Smokers
- Those on drugs that suppress their immune systems
Symptoms include
- Coughing up mucus
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
In severe cases, sufferers may cough up blood, vomit or have rapid heart rates.
Treatment is usually antibiotics, which may need to be given intravenously in hospital in severe cases.