Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced on social media that she will be stepping back from her public duties for several weeks due to a diagnosis of mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. The 35-year-old judge cited a "lingering sore throat and intense fatigue" as reasons for the temporary leave, stating that her doctor has advised rest for recovery.
Hidalgo, who became the first woman and first Latina to hold the Harris County judge position in November 2018, shared her diagnosis on Facebook. She explained that she has been interacting with community members as usual, but her doctor ordered additional tests after she reported feeling unwell. Lab results confirmed the mono diagnosis, and she stated that rest is the only treatment.
"My doctor has advised me to rest so that my recovery can be as quick as possible and so that the diagnosis does not evolve into anything more serious," Hidalgo wrote in her statement. She assured that her team will represent her when necessary and that she remains available for emergencies. She expects to return to normal after a few weeks of limited engagements.
The announcement followed a period where Hidalgo had been the subject of public scrutiny and controversy. Most recently, a photo circulated showing her appearing to look at World Cup tickets during a Commissioners Court meeting. This incident drew comparisons to a March event at the Houston Rodeo where Hidalgo and guests were denied VIP access to a concert because they lacked the required $425 tickets for the sold-out show. Hidalgo claimed rodeo staff physically handled her and suggested she was a victim of racism, while rodeo employees stated her team had already secured nearly $9,000 in complimentary tickets for previous shows.
Previous headlines have also included a revealing Vogue essay about her then-husband, in which she wrote that he used his life savings for her depression treatment. In August 2023, Hidalgo took a nine-week leave from the bench for outpatient mental health treatment. She also announced her separation from her husband on their first wedding anniversary.
Hidalgo's latest announcement about her leave also sparked backlash online, with some social media users accusing her of laziness or entitlement. However, Hidalgo stated that mono is not spread through casual contact and that she chose to share her diagnosis for transparency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recovery from infectious mononucleosis typically takes around four to six weeks and is most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.