In a shocking turn of events, John Roberts, a seasoned correspondent for Fox News, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with malaria. The 68-year-old journalist shared his ordeal on social media, explaining that he was hospitalized earlier this week.

Roberts, in an exclusive interview with People, recounted the terrifying symptoms he experienced while broadcasting. He described suffering from "uncontrollable shivering" live on air before receiving his diagnosis on August 25. "From head to toe, every part of me was in pain. I initially dismissed it as just muscle cramps, but when the shivering kicked in, I began to suspect it might be something more serious, like the flu," he said.

Seeking medical advice, Roberts visited a rheumatologist, who conducted blood tests revealing alarmingly low platelet and white blood cell counts. The doctor immediately advised him to head to the emergency room, where the malaria diagnosis was confirmed. "I thought, 'Of course, I would have malaria... I never do anything halfway.' While I was slightly scared—because malaria can indeed be fatal—my main concern was feeling awful," he admitted.

As he recovered, fellow anchor Trace Gallagher stepped in for Roberts on Fox News. Roberts took to social media to express his gratitude: "Thanks to Trace for covering for me! I somehow ended up with a severe case of malaria. I’m honestly the only patient in this hospital with malaria. One doctor even mentioned I'm the first case he's encountered!"

Understanding Malaria and Its Risks

But what exactly is malaria? This serious disease is transmitted by the bite of certain infected female mosquitoes and manifests symptoms like chills, fever, headache, nausea, and body aches from 7 to 30 days post-infection. If not treated promptly, it can escalate into more severe symptoms including mental confusion, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, and potentially death.

Reflecting on his experience, Roberts remarked, "I can't quantify the severity in medical terms, but I can tell you I've never felt worse in my life." He suspects he contracted malaria during a recent trip to Indonesia at the end of July, though he cannot recall any mosquito bites.

Currently recuperating in a hospital bed, he noted the unpredictable nature of the illness: "My temperature swings wildly every hour. One moment, I’m shivering uncontrollably, and the next, I’m drenched in sweat." Despite the discomfort, Roberts is optimistic about his recovery and anticipates making his return to the airwaves by September 2.