Tlc - Tlc Star Struck Down By Swine Flu

TLC star TIONNE WATKINS was recently hit with another health setback - she became the latest celebrity to fall ill with swine flu.

The 39-year-old singer, aka T-Boz, was diagnosed with sickle-cell anaemia a decade ago and underwent brain surgery in 2007 after doctors discovered a non-cancerous tumour on her brain.

And now she's recovering from a bout of the life-threatening H1N1 virus.

She tells Life & Style magazine, "My daughter and I had sore throats that lasted about three days, so we went to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. After examining us, he told me my daughter had the flu - and I had swine flu... I made arrangements right away for my daughter to stay with my mum... I had to stay in the house and away from everyone."

Watkins really started feeling ill four days later, and her doctor urged her to check into hospital.

She adds, "It really hit me hard... I became very achy. Plus, I had a bad cough, and my ear was infected too. I got up to go to the bathroom and became winded. I called my doctor, and he told me that I should go to the emergency room right away.

"I never felt like I was going to die, but I was really concerned that I couldn't breathe. The doctors checked my vitals and my oxygen and told me my heartbeat was strong. Then they gave me some fluids and told me the flu was just running its course.

"I was out from nine to 12 days. I took all the medication and some herbs and supplements to help me get better quicker."