Cheryl Cole's Malaria Is "A Lot More Serious Than First Thought"

UK X Factor judge and pop star in her own right Cheryl Cole is in the hospital in London and suffering from a serious case of malaria. It is thought she contracted the sometimes deadly disease last month while vacationing in Tanzania with her boyfriend Derek Hough. The Daily Mail reports that Cheryl Cole has now spent the last three nights in intensive care and many believe her condition is worsening. A publicist stated that the case of malaria is "a lot more serious than first thought."

Cheryl Cole has already had to pull out of serving on the judges panel for X Factor auditions this weekend in Manchester, England. There is no word yet if she will have to pull out of performing next month at the V Festival. It is believed that once Cheryl Cole pulls out of the worst of the disease, she may still need weeks of recovery to return to normal.

Malaria is a serious insect-borne illness common in many African countries. Cheryl Cole is believed to have been taking anti-malaria pills, but she contracted the disease anyway. Malaria causes flu-like symptoms, but it can also create life-threatening complications.

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