Christina Applegate recently shared her candid experience of contracting sapovirus, a virus transmitted through fecal-oral contact, in addition to dealing with multiple sclerosis (MS). She described graphic symptoms including an instance of bed-wetting due to the illness. Applegate contracted COVID-19 from someone close to her, leading to more severe symptoms due to her already compromised immune system from MS. She detailed experiencing dizziness, inability to eat, and a racing heart rate.
After taking a stool test, Applegate was diagnosed with sapovirus, which is caused by ingesting fecal matter from someone else through contaminated food. She believed she caught the virus after eating a salad from a restaurant that was about to close down. Applegate shared her frustration with dealing with the virus for almost three weeks and the challenges it has posed while also navigating her MS symptoms, which can sometimes cause bladder control issues.
Applegate revealed her MS diagnosis in 2021 and joked about her condition during her Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony later that year. She shared that her MS journey began several years prior to her diagnosis, with early symptoms including instances of her leg buckling. The actress has been candid about her MS journey, making jokes as a coping mechanism. She has shared that humor helps her deal with the struggles of the disease.
Despite facing daily challenges with MS, Applegate has found support from friends like Selma Blair, who urged her to get tested for the disease. She has also adjusted her lifestyle to accommodate her condition, choosing to isolate herself to cope with the difficulties. Applegate has hinted that Dead to Me may be her final onscreen credit, citing her ongoing health issues as a reason for potentially stepping away from acting.
Throughout her health journey, Applegate has remained open about her struggles with MS and sapovirus, using humor as a way to cope. She has spoken candidly about her symptoms, treatments, and challenges, providing insight into her experience for her fans and followers. Despite the hardships she faces, Applegate continues to find strength in her friendships and support system, such as the bond she shares with her Dead to Me costar Linda Cardellini. Her openness about her health journey serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
