The former president has been hospitalized at DF Star, in Brasília, since Friday (13 March) with bacterial bronchopneumonia; there is no forecast for an increase
The former president (PL) remains hospitalized in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of the DF Star Hospital, in Brasília, after being diagnosed with bilateral bacterial pneumonia resulting from bronchoaspiration. According to a medical bulletin released this Saturday (14 March 2026), Bolsonaro is clinically stable, but has had worsening kidney function and an increase in inflammatory markers. Here is it (PDF – 166 kB).
Bolsonaro has been hospitalized since Friday (13 March), when he left the prison of the 19th Battalion of the Military Police of the Federal District, known as Papudinha, after experiencing a high fever, chills and a drop in oxygen saturation.
The former president began treatment with antibiotics on Friday (13th March) and must continue the medication for another 6 days — out of a planned total of 7. The medical team will assess whether the treatment period will need to be extended, depending on Bolsonaro’s clinical response. There is no forecast for discharge from the ICU.
The medical report is signed by:
- Claudio Birolini — general surgeon;
- Leandro Echenique — cardiologist;
- Whitewashed Brazil — cardiologist;
- Antônio Aurélio de Paiva Fagundes Jr. — coordinator of the general ICU;
- Allisson B. Barcelos Borges — general director.
WHAT IS BOLSONARO’S CLINICAL CONDITION?
Jair Bolsonaro (PL) at around 2 am at the 19th Military Police Battalion of the Federal District, known as Papudinha. The former president had a high fever, intense headache, chills and severe discomfort.
Given the symptoms, a Samu team that is on duty at the prison was called to provide first care. Doctor Brasil Caiado later evaluated Bolsonaro and suspected pneumonia.
Bolsonaro to DF Star Hospital around 8:50 am. Police officers escort the moment of transfer from the ambulance to the health unit.
Bolsonaro underwent a series of tests, including tomography of the chest and sinuses, laboratory tests and a viral panel to rule out other possible infections.
The tomography indicated bilateral bronchopneumonia, more pronounced in the left lung. The condition is associated with an episode of bronchoaspiration, a condition in which stomach contents, saliva or food enter the airways, which can cause inflammation and progress to pneumonia.
The former president presented symptoms considered serious, such as bacteremia —presence of bacteria in the bloodstream— and a sharp drop in oxygen saturation, which reached 80%.
Treatment was started immediately with antibiotics administered intravenously. Two medications were used preventively and therapeutically.
After starting the medication, Bolsonaro showed a small clinical improvement, but still reported nausea, headache and muscle pain typical of an infectious condition.
HEALTH HISTORY
Since during the 2018 election campaign, in Juiz de ForaBolsonaro underwent 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 hiccup episodes.
