HOUSTON — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis and will scale back public appearances over the next several weeks to recover. She said extensive testing initially pointed to exhaustion before lab results confirmed the condition.

Hidalgo attended the Harris County Commissioners Court on Thursday, July 9, 2026, wearing a K95 mask, but left before the meeting concluded due to illness. "I've been dealing with a lingering sore throat and intense fatigue," Hidalgo said.

Her doctor advised her to rest to ensure a full recovery and prevent the illness from becoming more serious. Hidalgo acknowledged interacting with community members before her diagnosis because she believed her symptoms were caused by exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that infectious mononucleosis is most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and spreads primarily through saliva, not casual contact. "Thankfully, mono is not spread through casual contact," Hidalgo said. The agency notes that symptoms can include extreme fatigue, sore throat, fever, headaches, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged liver or spleen, and rash, with most people recovering within four to six weeks.