Mink’s pneumonia U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink is reported by family members as being in "serious condition" and is in intensive care, according to her spokeswoman Joan Manke.
puts her in ICU
Chickenpox set off her
ailments, and now she is
in "serious condition"By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comMink, 74, was admitted to Straub Hospital on Aug. 30 suffering from chickenpox, Manke said. The virus triggered pneumonia, Manke said, and she was moved to the intensive care unit Sunday.
"She is still receiving treatment and she is still in the ICU," Manke said.
Mink's family has been visiting her, Manke said.
It was not known, Manke said, if Mink was able to talk to her visiting family members.
"Pneumonia is serious and the family considers it serious," Manke said.
Mink has been healthy and had been campaigning for re-election, Manke said.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, chickenpox is caused by the Varicella zoster virus and is usually mild, but it may be severe in infants, adults and persons with impaired immune systems.
Chickenpox has a characteristic itchy rash, which then forms blisters that dry and become scabs in four or five days. The rash may be the first sign of illness, sometimes coupled with fever and general malaise which is usually more severe in adults.
For adults the more serious complications of chickenpox, including pneu- monia, hepatitis (liver inflammation) and encephalitis.
Mink, a Democrat, is the congresswoman for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, rural Oahu through the neighbor islands.
She was a member of the U.S. House from 1964 to 1976. She served on the City Council from 1983 to 1987 and then the U.S. House since 1990.
She is opposed in the Sept. 21 primary election by Democrat Steve Tataii.