John Roberts, Fox News correspondent, was diagnosed with malaria after being hospitalized with the disease this week, which he shared on social media. The 68-year-old broadcast journalist revealed to People in an interview published Thursday, Aug. 28, that he experienced “uncontrollable shivering” while on air before being diagnosed on Monday, Aug. 25. 
Roberts, who has been with Fox News for years, recalled the symptoms, saying, “I had been hurting from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. Literally everywhere. I was also beset with uncontrollable shivering all during my show.” Initially, he suspected it was muscle cramps, but when the shivering started, he considered it might be the flu.
After seeing a rheumatologist, blood work revealed that his platelets and white blood cells were dangerously low, and he was immediately told to go to the emergency room. He was officially diagnosed with malaria there. “I thought, ‘Of course you have malaria… you never do anything in small measures,’” Roberts said. “But I was a little scared. Malaria can be deadly if left unchecked.” 
While Roberts was absent from the show, Trace Gallagher filled in, and Roberts expressed his gratitude on social media: “Thank you to Trace for jumping into the chair today! I somehow came down with a severe case of Malaria,” he wrote. “I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen.”
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 30 days after being bitten and include chills, fever, headache, nausea, body aches, and diarrhea. If untreated, it can escalate into more severe symptoms like mental confusion, breathing difficulties, convulsions, and bleeding, potentially leading to death.
Roberts shared, “I don’t know exactly how ‘severe’ it was from a medical standpoint, but it sure felt severe. I have never felt that sick in my life.”
He suspects he contracted the disease during a vacation in Indonesia in late July to early August, though he doesn’t remember being bitten.
Currently recovering in the hospital, Roberts revealed he still experiences “wild swings in temperature every hour.” He described the experience, saying, “I’ll be shivering and shaking like a leaf… the next, I’ll be sweating.”
Roberts is expected to be discharged soon and is aiming to return to the air on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
