© Kelsey McNeal | ABC
By NoBetterNina (@nobetternina)
After making it to week 8 during season 29 of Dancing with the Stars, Jeannie Mai recently had to end her run on the show after being hospitalized due to a life-threatening condition called epiglottitis.
​Epiglottitis is a rare condition that blocks air from entering the windpipe, due to inflamed tissue in the windpipe. Symptoms of epiglottitis include a severe sore throat, difficulty and pain when swallowing, difficulty breathing, abnormal breathing noises, a hoarse or muffled voice, fever, and drooling.
© Eric Mccandless | ABC
​One of the most common causes of epiglottitis is from a haemophilus influenza type bacteria, which is also known to cause pneumonia and meningitis. There are other possible causes, but this is the most common, as it is spread through droplets of saliva or mucus in the air when someone coughs or sneezes.
Jeannie was required to go into immediate surgery, releasing a statement on her condition writing, “It saddens me that I will not be able to continue with the competition on 'DWTS.' My doctors discovered a health concern with my throat which requires immediate attention and surgery. I am heartbroken that my 'DWTS' journey has to end here. The last several weeks have been an amazing learning experience. I have pushed myself to new limits physically and mentally, and I am so proud of how far we’ve come. I can't thank my partner Brandon enough for being so supportive and believing in me. I also want to thank MAI fans who voted every week and I wish everyone else in the competition the best of luck!â€
This week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars was set to feature a double elimination, but due to Jeannie’s withdrawal, only one couple will be sent home. Hoping for a speedy recovery for Jeannie!
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