Dr Emily MacDonagh has revealed she is battling shingles after being hit with sudden and painful symptoms, opening up to fans in a candid
update that has sparked an outpouring of support.
The 36-year-old doctor, who is married to singer Peter Andre, took to social media to explain her condition in an honest video, hoping her experience would help raise awareness for others.
Sharing the unexpected news, Emily explained she had been diagnosed earlier this week, admitting it caught her completely off guard. She said she wanted to speak out to help those unfamiliar with the illness understand the warning signs and what to look out for.
Describing how it began, she revealed she first noticed unusual pain and strange sensations under her arm, before a rash appeared days later on one side of her back. Emily admitted it wasn’t something she ever expected to deal with, but felt it was important to talk about it openly.
Despite the discomfort, she remained hopeful, telling fans she is now focused on recovery and simply “hoping to start feeling better soon and get back to myself.”
Her followers quickly flooded the comments with messages of support, with many wishing her a speedy recovery and thanking her for raising awareness. Some even shared their own experiences with shingles, describing just how painful it can be.
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox — which can remain dormant in the body for years before reactivating when the immune system is weakened.
Away from her health struggles, Emily shares a busy family life with Peter Andre. The couple, who married in 2015, have three children together — Millie, Theo and Arabella — while Peter is also dad to Junior and Princess from his previous marriage to Katie Price.
Despite their high-profile lives, the pair have chosen to keep their younger children largely out of the spotlight, focusing instead on maintaining a grounded upbringing at home.
Earlier this month, Emily also sparked debate among parents after revealing she and Peter are “a bit stingy” when it comes to pocket money. She explained their children receive £1 a week, with small additional amounts like 50p for chores such as unloading the dishwasher or making their beds.
She admitted she is torn between teaching her children the value of helping out without expecting payment and rewarding them for their efforts, saying she wants them to understand the true value of money rather than being given large sums.
