Fans Rally Around Christina Applegate Amid Hospitalization for Kidney Infection

Christina Applegate has revealed she’s been hospitalized with a painful kidney infection that has now spread to both kidneys.

The Emmy-winning actress shared the update during the August 5 episode of her podcast, “MeSsy,” which she co-hosts with Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Fans Rally Around Christina Applegate Amid Health Scare

Applegate, 53, recorded the episode from a hospital bed in Los Angeles, explaining that the pain was so severe she thought her appendix had burst.

“So much pain. I’m screaming, and they ordered me an emergency CT at 2 in the morning,” the actress revealed.

The scan confirmed a kidney infection, which has since affected her other kidney. “Because of this kidney infection, I have to have intravenous antibiotics right now. And that’s where we’re at,” she said.

While Applegate approached the topic with her signature dark humor—joking about being asked if she wipes correctly and insisting, “I’m a clean girl down yonder”—she also admitted the emotional toll. “I’m holding in a bag o’ tears right now,” she said. “I sometimes fall into the nurse’s arms like a freako, just like crying.”

Her raw honesty, paired with her unfiltered humor, has sparked a wave of support across social media. After her latest update, fans flooded the comments with messages of encouragement, praising her resilience and openness.

One supporter wrote, “Please feel better soon, Christina. Pre-ordered your book and can’t wait to read,” while another shared, “I have a best friend that has MS, and it’s very nice and comforting to know some of the symptoms and what you’re going through and how I can maybe help her.”

Ongoing Battle With MS & an Outpouring of Support

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@1capplegate · Follow

Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS. It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.

2:34 am · 10 Aug 2021

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Applegate’s health update comes amid her ongoing public battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease she was diagnosed with in 2021. She revealed her diagnosis on X (formerly Twitter) while filming the final season of the popular series “Dead to Me.”

MS, a neurological disease that affects communication between the brain and body, has had a significant impact on her mobility and daily life. “This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me,” she said during a March 2024 appearance on the “Armchair Expert” podcast. “I hate it so much. I’m so mad about it.”

In a November 2024 episode of “MeSsy,” Applegate opened up about living with constant pain, difficulty walking, numbness, and fatigue. “I lay in bed screaming — like, the sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing,” she said. “I just lay in bed all the time.”

Despite the challenges, Applegate continues to fearlessly speak openly about her journey, inspiring fans and others living with chronic illness.