Senator Diane Feinstein’s Health Problems Are Wider Than Just Shingles – Daily News

By Manu Raju and Jessica Dean | CNN

Senator Diane Feinstein’s office confirmed Thursday that the California Democrat has experienced widespread health complications, including: her shingles diagnosiscontradicts an earlier denial by the Senator himself.

A spokeswoman for Feinstein said in a statement to CNN that those complications “included Ramsay Hunt syndrome and encephalitis.”

“The encephalitis resolved quickly after being discharged from the hospital in March, but complications from Ramsay Hunt syndrome continue,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier Thursday, Feinstein told CNN that it was not encephalitis and that it “has never really been properly diagnosed.”

“I had a really bad flu,” Ms. Feinstein said, adding, “Thankfully I’m feeling better.”

Senate offices rarely publicly contradict their own senators.

Feinstein has struggled for years with health questions, including memory problems. Doubts only deepen She recently returned after being absent from the Senate for several months.

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. It is caused by various types of infections, but is known to be a rare complication from shingles. Ramsay Hunt syndrome can occur when shingles affects the facial nerve near the eye. According to the Mayo Clinic.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to comment when asked by CNN Thursday if he knew of any additional diagnoses. Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin told CNN he was unaware of the additional illness.

The 89-year-old Democrat recovering from shingles He was at home in California and had been absent from Hill since February. before she returns.

new york times I first reported About the undisclosed complications Feinstein experienced after being diagnosed with shingles, including encephalitis.

In a statement released by his office last week, Feinstein said he was “plagued with side effects” from shingles but had been advised by doctors to “lighten his schedule” when he returned to the Senate. Stated.