Kennedy leaves hospital after bout with flu

February 10, 2000
Web posted at: 12:28 p.m. EST (1728 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., left a Washington hospital Thursday after what his doctors considered a severe case of the flu.

"I know what a lot of families have been going through over the course of this winter, and in hospitals with this flu bug," Kennedy told reporters upon leaving the hospital. "This is a very powerful bug."

Kennedy, now less than two weeks from his 68th birthday, checked himself into the hospital after his symptoms got worse and a congressional doctor suggested he should play it safe by seeking medical help.

"Sunday night I had a good temperature and thought I'd get through Sunday night," he explained, "but the next day that spiked up in a way where it would have been wise to have someone else take a look at it."

Kennedy was accompanied to a waiting van by his wife, Victoria, son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, and his sister Kara. The elder Kennedy had credited the hospital's medical team for good care, but then added:

"My day nurse and night nurse, Vickie, set up shop there for four days. So we've gotten to know each other a lot better," Kennedy laughed.

Mrs. Kennedy said she welcomed the task, and said "I'm just delighted that he's feeling better."