Manila, Philippines – Kris Aquino, one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine showbiz and media, has been living through a health ordeal far more complex than the public originally realized. While many thought her absence from the limelight was temporary, it soon became evident that the “Queen of All Media” is facing a lifelong medical battle against not just one, but multiple autoimmune diseases.

Over the past few years, Kris has courageously opened up about her condition, sharing personal updates from her medical journey, often from hospitals abroad. Her revelations have cast light on illnesses that are rare, little understood by the public, and even challenging for many doctors to diagnose.

A TRIO OF AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

Kris Aquino has been diagnosed with the following:

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis)

Churg-Strauss Syndrome (also known as Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis or EGPA)

Each of these conditions is serious in its own right, but combined, they form a health challenge that is truly daunting.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THESE DISEASES?

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria causes sudden and severe hives, swelling, and skin rashes, even without any allergens present. It can last for weeks, months, or even years and is linked to immune system dysfunction.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. This affects metabolism, mood, energy, and overall bodily functions.

The most critical among Kris’s conditions is Churg-Strauss Syndrome (EGPA) — a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in blood vessels, known medically as vasculitis. This disease can severely affect vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and nerves. It’s extremely rare, with fewer than 15,000 diagnosed cases globally.

HER SYMPTOMS AND STRUGGLES

Kris has revealed experiencing a host of debilitating symptoms:

Unrelenting skin rashes and hives

Severe allergic reactions

Extreme fatigue and muscle weakness

Joint pain and inflammation

Weight loss and difficulty eating

Breathing problems resembling asthma

Mood swings and hormonal imbalance due to thyroid dysfunction

Internal organ inflammation, especially affecting her heart and lungs

In one emotional post, she admitted that doctors gave her a “limited time” unless her treatment began to show improvement. This statement shook her fans and supporters, highlighting the severity of her condition.

FIGHTING BACK WITH COURAGE

Despite her fragile health, Kris remains defiant and hopeful. She has undergone treatment in the United States and continues to share updates with her followers, not for sympathy, but to raise awareness and to inspire others facing chronic illnesses.

She is currently on a regimen of immunosuppressant medication, corticosteroids, and specialized therapies under the care of a multidisciplinary team of experts.

IS THERE A CURE?

Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for autoimmune diseases. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms, reducing inflammation, and slowing disease progression. Management of these conditions typically includes:

Immunosuppressants to stop the body from attacking itself

Regular blood work and imaging to monitor organ health

Allergy and hormone management

Lifestyle changes including stress management, diet, and rest

Because EGPA can be life-threatening, early diagnosis and continuous medical care are critical.

A PUBLIC FIGURE TURNED HEALTH ADVOCATE

More than just a celebrity, Kris Aquino has become a symbol of strength for patients living with invisible illnesses. By publicly discussing her battle, she has opened up national and international conversations around autoimmune diseases — many of which are misunderstood, underdiagnosed, or dismissed.

Her transparency has also underscored the importance of access to quality healthcare, early detection, and the emotional toll that chronic diseases inflict — not just on the patient, but on their family.

CONCLUSION

Kris Aquino’s journey is a painful but powerful reminder that no one — not even the most glamorous public figures — is immune to serious health challenges. Her courage, vulnerability, and willingness to share her reality have transformed her pain into purpose.

In a world where chronic illness is often hidden or stigmatized, Kris stands tall, not as a victim, but as a warrior. And through her, the silent battles of many are finally being heard.

Find out about Kris Aquino’s illness; what are the symptoms and how to prevent it?
The decline in the body of the so-called “Queen of All Media” in the Philippines, Kris Aquino, is noteworthy, which she admitted vulgarly in her latest Instagram post.

Aquino said, “I admit that my health is far from okay… but we are still doing everything we can right now, to help others.”

What is Kris Aquino’s real illness?

In 2018, she shared that she was scared of her situation.

“My body collapsed, in one month I lost 15 pounds. I was scared. Our mom had unexplained weight loss before her cancer diagnosis. That’s why I had my series of blood tests. This is our truth,” Aquino said in an Instagram post on October 3, 2018.

This is referring to her mother, Corazon Aquino, who also suffered a physical collapse and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008, who passed away in 2009.

During the medical tests that Aquino underwent, she was afraid that her illness might be a tumor, which they confirmed after the results of the tests were negative.

Aquino was initially diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, a condition in which the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks its own body. An example of someone experiencing this is the famous singer Selena Gomez.

In a separate Instagram post, which has since been deleted, she confirmed that her condition is called “chronic spontaneous urticaria,” an autoimmune disease.

“I am now, and for the rest of my existence will be, on high dosage antihistamines and having the EpiPen will always be crucial. Severe allergies are life threatening because of anaphylactic shock,” Aquino explained of her condition

A person experiencing chronic spontaneous urticaria or CSU develops an unusual and unexpected rash.

According to WebMB, a health website that provides health information, CSU has no clear cause so it is best to see experts such as doctors.

The rash lasts from 30 minutes to 24 hours and is expected to occur frequently.

If the CSU is severe or prolonged, it is also expected to experience several symptoms such as fatigue, pain or swelling of the joints, redness of the face, neck or upper chest, and rapid heartbeat.

WebMB adds that CSU can affect anyone, but it is more common in women. CSU is “idiopathic,” or has no specific cause.

Here are some of the things that can trigger or worsen a person with CSU: alcohol, bathing with warm water, humidity (or dryness of the environment), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, scratching the skin, spicy foods, and tight clothing.

To prevent this, it is necessary to first avoid things that can trigger the disease. In case of a rash caused by CSU, high-dose oral antihistamines are required as per the doctor’s advice.

If antihistamines are not enough, expect doctors to prescribe steroids, followed by antihistamines.

There is no cure for CSU, but the chance that symptoms may disappear within a year of diagnosis is 30%-50%. Symptoms can still be experienced even after five years, as symptoms usually last from one to five years.

In a 2020 study by Peter Stepaniuk, Manstein Kan, and Amin Kanani, titled “Natural history, prognostic factors and patient perceived response to treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria,” 30% of patients with CSU improved within two years, and 16% lasted for 10 years or more.

According to the data released by the study, men with CSU usually improve within 33 months, and up to 48 months in women.