Tracy Shaw has disclosed that she is battling a blood infection alongside her ongoing fight against breast cancer.
The 52-year-old, best known for portraying Maxine Peacock in the Coronation Steet between 1995 and 2003, was released from the critical care unit on Tuesday evening.
In a video shared with her Instagram followers, Ms Shaw explained: "I was let out last night from the critical unit because it's better for us as cancer patients to be at home."
Medical professionals are continuing to investigate the nature of the infection and are treating it with powerful antibiotics while they work to identify its cause.
Tracy Shaw is an English actress and singer best known for portraying Maxine Peacock in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street
|GETTY
Ms Shaw said: "The microbiologist is still super geeking over this infection.
"So they're not quite sure what it is. So they're just blasting it with some really strong antibiotics."
The actress revealed that the infection appears to resemble something from the pox family, though medical staff have been unable to pinpoint its exact nature.
The actress showed her followers the red spots that had developed on her face, explaining that her compromised immune system during chemotherapy treatment has left her particularly vulnerable.
"I have had chickenpox, I've had measles, but maybe this means this is circulating in the area, and I'm just low and susceptible to catch it," she told fans.
The former soap star emphasised that infections are treated with particular urgency for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
"They are very hot on anything to do with infection when we're going through chemotherapy because it's quite critical.
"It's just a fact. I'm not making a drama out of this," the actress said.
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Ms Shaw's health challenges have intensified in recent weeks, with the actress revealing she was rushed to A&E on 7 June due to severe chemotherapy side effects.
"Day ten after chemo. Another trip to A&E. Most of the day asleep," she recounted, describing how the treatment had left her with "no strength left."
The star detailed the brutal impact of her treatment, explaining that chemotherapy had affected the lining of her stomach and left her feeling "as vulnerable as a baby."
Her blood test results on Sunday initially appeared acceptable, but when samples were placed in an incubator and allowed to grow, concerns emerged.
Doctors subsequently called her back for additional testing, conducting thorough examinations including heart checks and body scans to assess her condition.
Ms Shaw first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis to fans in April, having taken time away from social media to process the news privately.
Her results showed she was HER2 positive, meaning she required five months of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery to remove the lumps and lymph glands.
Ms Shaw has been sharing regular updates on her cancer journey with her Instagram followers
|"Originally, I was going to be having surgery in two weeks, but because my results have come back that I am HER2 positive, it means I have to have chemo for five months before then," she explained at the time.
The actress has continued to support others throughout her treatment, donating her blonde hair to The Little Princess Trust on 28 May before chemotherapy caused further hair loss.
Ms Shaw expressed her gratitude to NHS staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and her oncology team for their care throughout her treatment.