Hillary Clinton media coverage exposes 'misogynistic' US press, American doctor claims

'Hey, if presidents are going to be people some will faint,' leading obstetrician says

Hillary Clinton emerges from daughter's apartment after feeling unwell. (AFP/Getty Images)

Coverage of Hillary Clinton’s medical episode at the 9/11 memorial event has exposed the “misogynistic” nature of the US press, a high-profile doctor has claimed.

Dr Jennifer Gunter, an American obstetrician who recently wrote about her positive experience in a NHS emergency department, suggested the presidential candidate’s pneumonia diagnosis was not released to the press because of how it reported on her health.

In an exchange on Twitter, Dr Gunter was asked by another user if she really thought "pneumonia was driving the bus", suggesting the purported diagnosis was actually cover-up of a bigger, underlying health issue.

In response, the doctor made clear she did not believe conspiracy theories surrounding Ms Clinton's health and that the problem was the "misogynistic press".

Ms Clinton became ill on Sunday and had to leave the New York ceremony early.

Video footage showed the Democrat being supported by aides as she was helped into her van, with her team later saying she had become dehydrated. While Ms Clinton’s team, including her doctor Dr Lisa Bardack, said she had been diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday and simply became “overheated” Fox News declared Ms Clinton’s “health episode” could revive pressure on her to release her medical records.

Ms Clinton’s health has been scrutinised by opponents before. Earlier this summer, social media users speculated about Ms Clinton’s health using the hashtag #HillaryHealth, while conspiracy theorists and US media outlets, including Fox News and The National Enquirer, produced stories about her alleged secret health problems.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump told his supporters in August that Ms Clinton “lacked the mental and physical stamina” to serve as president and lead the country's fight against Isis.
 
The Clinton campaign accused opponents of pushing a “deranged conspiracy about Ms Clinton’s health”, while Dr Bardack said the Democratic candidate was “in excellent health and fit to serve as president of the United States”.

Dr Gunter, in a blog post, said it looked as if Ms Clinton suffered from near-syncope (the medical term for almost fainting) on Sunday.

“Fainting is scary and dramatic, but it’s often nothing,” she said. “Mrs Clinton’s near-syncopal event is almost certainly the result of prolonged standing in one position and heat and possibly dehydration and not due to some secret sinister illness.”

Dr Gunter also pointed out George HW Bush vomited and fainted at a state dinner in 1992.

“If presidents are going to get the stomach flu then some will faint," she said.
 
“Hey, if presidents are going to be people some will faint."