Former president is on the 3rd day of hospitalization at the DF Star hospital, in Brasília; there is an improvement in kidney function, but there is a new increase in inflammatory markers, reports the bulletin
The former Chief Executive (PL) was admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of the DF Star Hospital, in Brasília (DF), last Friday (13.mar.2026). Bolsonaro left prison on the same day and was diagnosed with bilateral bacterial bronchopneumonia.
The former president is still in the ICU. His condition evolved with clinical stability and improvement in renal function, but there was a new increase in inflammatory markers, according to a medical bulletin released this Sunday (15 March 2026). Here is it (PDF – 166 KB).
The former president had low blood pressure, a drop in oxygen saturation, fever, chills, sweating, hiccups, nausea, vomiting and bacteremia — when bacteria are present in the bloodstream.
The condition is still considered serious, but stable. Cardiologist Leandro Echenique stated on Friday (13 March) that there was a risk of death from the infection, but that the speed of hospitalization and the immediate start of treatment reduce the danger.
The medical team declared that, due to changes in the former president’s clinical condition, there was a need to expand antibiotic coverage.
Bolsonaro began treatment with antibiotics on Friday (13th March) and must continue using the medication for another 5 days, out of a total of 7. During the period, it will be assessed whether it will be necessary to maintain or change the drugs and whether hospitalization will be extended. Everything will depend on how the former president’s body responds to the treatment.
Doctors report that it is not yet possible to specify how long Bolsonaro will be hospitalized.
What is Bolsonaro’s clinical condition?
at around 2 am at the 19th Military Police Battalion of the Federal District, known as Papudinha. This is the third pneumonia faced by the former president. According to doctors, it is the most severe to date.
Given the symptoms, a team from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) that remains on duty at the site was called to provide the first assistance. Doctor Brasil Caiado later evaluated Bolsonaro and already suspected pneumonia.
Bolsonaro around 8:50 am. Police officers covered the moment when the ambulance was transferred to the health unit with a cloth.
He underwent a series of tests, including a chest and sinus CT scan, laboratory tests and a viral panel to rule out other possible infections.
The tomography indicated bilateral bronchopneumonia, more pronounced in the left lung. Treatment was started immediately with antibiotics administered intravenously. Two medications were used preventively and therapeutically.
After starting the medication, Bolsonaro showed a small improvement, but still reported nausea, headache and muscle pain typical of an infectious condition.
Health History
Since during the 2018 electoral campaign, in Juiz de Fora (MG), Bolsonaro has undergone 14 surgeries. Of the total, 10 are directly related to sequelae caused by the abdominal injury and complications arising from subsequent procedures.
The former president suffers from refractory, or chronic, hiccups, which can cause reflux with substances entering the respiratory tract, as occurred in the early hours of this Friday (March 13, 2026).
The 3 most recent surgeries were performed on December 25, 27 and 29, 2025. At Christmas, a procedure called bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed, indicated to correct two hernias in the groin region — one on the right side and one on the left.
The 2nd and 3rd surgeries were performed to block the phrenic nerve, the right and left respectively, with the aim of reducing hiccups episodes.
