Hillary Clinton Health Update: How Walking Pneumonia Will Affect Her Health Long-Term
After Hillary Clinton abruptly left a 15th anniversary ceremony held in New York honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, the US Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign announced she was being treated for walking pneumonia. The diagnosis came during an at-home doctor’s visit on Friday morning following a prolonged cough, her physician Dr. Lisa R. Bardack said. Clinton was taken from the event and brought to her daughter’s Manhattan apartment.
Clinton’s symptoms are typical for someone with a case of walking pneumonia, which is a mild case similar to that of the common cold. However, persistent dry cough, low-grade fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and loss of appetite may also occur. The condition is a bacterial infection of the lungs and usually only lasts for a few days and doesn’t require bed rest or hospital care, however Clinton canceled a two-day fundraising trip and speech in California due to her illness as a precaution.
“Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies,” said Dr. Bardack, in a statement on Sunday. “She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule. At this morning’s event, she became overheated and dehydrated.”
Dr. Bardack has since announced Clinton is now rehydrated and recovering nicely since leaving the ceremony. Walking pneumonia, also known as Legionella pneumonia, occurs when you breathe in water vapors that are infected with L. pneumophila, which is a bacteria often found lurking in water supplies or cooling towers. But not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria develops an infection. Those who smoke, are of older age, have a weak immune system, or other chronic illness are at greater risk. Fortunately for Clinton, a large majority of those who are diagnosed with walking pneumonia recover completely with antibiotics within a week of symptoms.
But Clinton’s Republican opponent Donald Trump has added her new diagnosis to his list of health conspiracy theories. Republicans have circulated the rumors that Clinton has aphasia, which is a common side effect for stroke survivors, making it difficult for sufferers to communicate and process speech. They’ve also pitched the theory Clinton has Parkinson’s disease, and reccurring seizures, among other controversial chronic conditions. But the presidential candidate’s physician Dr. Bardack responded: “ Secretary Clinton is in excellent health and fit to serve as President of the United States.”
To read about the details of the conspiracy diagnoses surrounding Clinton’s health, read here.