Byrd's condition a guarded secret

[June 03, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Robert C. Byrd, 91, remained hospitalized Tuesday, receiving treatment for a staph infection that has extended his stay at an undisclosed facility to nearly three weeks.

A spokesman declined to say where Byrd, D-W.Va., was hospitalized, or predict when he might be released.

The spokesman, Jesse Jacobs, also would not reveal the site of Byrd's malady. "We are abiding by the wishes of the family," he added. Staph infections differ in severity depending on their location.

Byrd was hospitalized May 15 for a spike in temperature caused by an infection, and his office issued a statement at the time saying he was likely to be released after a few days.

Two weeks later, the office issued a brief update disclosing the staph infection.

Byrd has become increasingly frail in recent years.

[Associated Press]

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