Former President Bill Clinton was admitted to the University of California Irvine Medical Center on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson announced Thursday.
According to CNN, Clinton was in California for a private event and had been feeling ill. In a joint statement from Dr. Alpesh Amin, chair of medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center, and Clinton’s personal primary physician, Dr. Lisa Bardack, the 42nd President of the United States was admitted to the intensive care unit for monitoring and to receive IV antibiotics and fluids.
“He was admitted to the ICU for close monitoring and administered IV antibiotics and fluids. He remains at the hospital for continuous monitoring,” the statement read. The doctors added that Clinton was in the ICU for privacy and safety, not because he needs intensive care.
Clinton’s doctors told CNN that his illness was related to a urinary tract infection that spread to his bloodstream. They added that urologic infections are very common in older people, and they are easily treated, although they can quickly spread to the bloodstream. The 75-year-old will be given intravenous antibiotics until Friday, when he will likely be switched to oral antibiotics.
Although Clinton has a history of heart problems, undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2004 and stent placement in 2010, his doctors said that his hospitalization isn’t heart or COVID related.
Clinton spokesman Angel Urena said the former President is doing well.
“He is on the mend, in good spirits, and is incredibly thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff providing him with excellent care,” Urena said.
Statement from President Clinton’s physicians pic.twitter.com/kQ4GDOxBcU
— Angel Ureña (@angelurena) October 15, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill Clinton and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.