washington
CNN
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Former President Bill Clinton was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, a day after being hospitalized with the flu, the president’s office announced.
“President Clinton was treated for the flu and was discharged from the hospital earlier today. He and his family are deeply grateful for the outstanding care provided by the team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and are grateful for the kind support he received. We are touched by the messages and blessings and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season,” the agency said in a statement.
Mr. Clinton, 78, was hospitalized Monday afternoon for tests and observation after developing a fever.
Since leaving the White House nearly a quarter-century ago, the 42nd president has endured several health scares.
He underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in New York in 2004 and suffered a partially collapsed lung the following year. He underwent another heart surgery in 2010 and had two stents inserted into his coronary arteries.
He was hospitalized for six days in Los Angeles in 2021 due to a urinary infection that spread to his bloodstream.
Clinton spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August and has been very active on the campaign trail this fall. Since the election, he has published a new book, Citizen: My Life After the White House, and has a robust travel schedule.
Influenza activity is increasing across the United States, according to surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical visits for flu-like illnesses have been above baseline since the end of November, and hospitalization rates have doubled in the past two weeks. In the second week of December, about 5 people per 100,000 people were hospitalized with influenza. The CDC estimates that the flu has caused at least 1.9 million cases, 23,000 hospitalizations and 970 deaths so far this season.
Anyone can get the flu, but some people, such as people over 65, are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. Influenza can be treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu. This medication is most effective if you start taking it within 2 days of the onset of symptoms, which can reduce symptoms and shorten the time you feel sick.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
CNN’s Deidre McPhillips and Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report.
