Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Local

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein hospitalized with shingles

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and other Democrats are making the Affordable Care Act the centerpiece of their opposition to Judge Amy Coney Barrett at Barrett's confirmation hearing.
Andrew Harnik AP
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and other Democrats are making the Affordable Care Act the centerpiece of their opposition to Judge Amy Coney Barrett at Barrett's confirmation hearing.

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein — the oldest member of Congress — disclosed Thursday that she has been hospitalized in San Francisco and is being treated for a case of shingles.

The six-term senator, who turns 90 in June, said in a three-sentence statement released by her office that she was diagnosed last month and expects to make a full recovery.

"I hope to return to the Senate later this month,” she said.

Advertisement

According to the Mayo Clinic website, shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, which can occur anywhere on the body. It isn’t life-threatening.

Feinstein, who took office in 1992, recently announced she would not seek reelection in 2024. The senator has faced questions in recent years about her cognitive health and memory, though she has defended her effectiveness.