Sen. Dianne Feinstein previously denied suffering encephalitis during her months-long absence from Washington.
Topline
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) suffered a previously undisclosed bout of encephalitis while she was being treated for shingles during her more than two-month absence from Washington earlier this year, a Feinstein spokesperson confirmed to Forbes on Thursday, adding to growing concerns about the 89-year-old senator’s health.Key Facts
The spokesperson said Feinstein’s encephalitis—a brain inflammation that can leave patients with lasting memory or language problems—was resolved “shortly after she was released from the hospital in March,” but she is still dealing with the effects of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, another rare shingles complication that can cause rashes and facial paralysis.
Feinstein previously denied reports that she suffered encephalitis in an interview with CNN, claiming it was “a really bad flu” and she’s now “doing better.
