Rudy Giuliani, once dubbed “America’s Mayor,” is still in hospital and remains in critical condition after doctors put him on a ventilator amid a severe bout of pneumonia that showed up with recognizable warning signs.
The 81-year-old served as New York City’s mayor and has spent years in national politics since leaving office, particularly in the period after the 9/11 attacks, where he became a prominent supporter of various Republican figures, including President Donald Trump.
Giuliani first became widely known decades earlier for taking on organized crime in New York, including cases tied to the city’s “Five Families.” More recently, his role in efforts to challenge the result of the 2020 presidential election contributed to major legal and professional consequences, including disbarment and more than $1 billion in defamation damages.
Over the weekend, he was hospitalized in Florida and his condition reportedly worsened to the point that a priest was called to administer last rites. However, his doctor later indicated there were signs of improvement.
Concerns about Giuliani’s health became more noticeable during his Friday night online show, where he was frequently coughing and said he was “a little under the weather.” Coughing and feeling unwell are among the symptoms often associated with pneumonia.
His spokesperson, Ted Goodman, described him as “the ultimate fighter” while noting that Giuliani’s lung function was already compromised due to exposure to toxic dust and other hazardous materials following 9/11.
Goodman said: “This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition.”
Giuliani’s physician, Dr Maria Ryan, later said he had been taken off the ventilator and was stable, though still in critical condition.
“He’s a fighter — the way he was yesterday in such a critical condition, he did have a priest come anoint him,” she told Fox. “And all the prayers from around — it’s like a miracle. This guy’s got 9 lives, today he’s doing much better.”
Pneumonia can stem from several types of infections—bacterial, viral, or fungal. Illnesses ranging from Covid and colds to less common infections like toxoplasmosis can, in some cases, lead to inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs.
Doctors often categorize pneumonia by where it was contracted. Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common and can develop during ordinary day-to-day exposure. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is often considered more dangerous, in part because it can involve bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and is linked to healthcare environments.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause fluid to accumulate, potentially leading to serious symptoms. Recovery time can vary, but symptoms may last anywhere from two to four weeks. While pneumonia itself isn’t necessarily contagious, the viruses or bacteria that cause it can be spread.
Symptoms may appear abruptly or develop slowly, and severity often depends on the underlying cause, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
When a virus is responsible, early signs can include a dry cough, headache, and muscle aches, with symptoms worsening over a number of days.
Bacterial pneumonia doesn’t always follow a single pattern and can arrive either gradually or suddenly. Symptoms can also look different in infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.