Byrd Hospitalized After Doctors Notice Potential Infection

Sen. Robert Byrd was hospitalized Tuesday for a potential infection, which doctors noticed after the ailing senator went in for an examination following a fall at his home.

A statement released by the 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat's office said Byrd is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days. The statement said he was taken to the hospital as a "precautionary measure" following the fall, which was not deemed serious, but that doctors noticed another issue.

"While having no broken bones or bruises, upon examination, doctors found an elevated white-blood cell count which can be an early sign of an infection. Therefore, his doctors have determined that Byrd should remain in the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation," the statement said.

The office reported Byrd is in "good spirits."

Earlier in the day, ambulances and fire trucks raced to the home of the West Virginia Democrat, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history.

"Byrd apparently stood up too fast this morning in his home and fell down," Byrd spokesman Jesse Jacobs said, adding that the ambulance was called to "err on the side of caution."

Byrd has been mostly absent from the Senate this year. He was hospitalized in May and June with serious infections. But he returned to the Senate in July to vote and earlier this month, he paid tribute to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, who died in August.