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Pneumonia treatment for Prescott Pneumonia treatment for Prescott
(30 minutes later)
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been moved to a high-dependency hospital unit after being diagnosed as having pneumonia. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is spending a fifth day in hospital.
The 69-year-old's office said the decision had not been taken because his condition had deteriorated. The 69-year-old was moved on Tuesday to a high-dependency hospital unit after being diagnosed as having pneumonia.
He has been in hospital since Saturday, when he was taken ill on a train from Hull to London. He was moved so he could be monitored more closely because of his age and the fact he suffers from diabetes.
His friends have told the BBC's Nick Robinson that Mr Prescott is conscious and there is no sense of alarm. Friends have told the BBC there is no sense of alarm and stressed that Mr Prescott's move was not due to any deterioration in condition.
The prime minister wishes John Prescott all the best for a speedy recovery Downing Street spokesman Profile: John Prescott What is pneumonia?The prime minister wishes John Prescott all the best for a speedy recovery Downing Street spokesman Profile: John Prescott What is pneumonia?
Our political editor said the friends had told him that the deputy prime minister was sitting up, and had managed to dictate a statement about his illness. They told the BBC on Tuesday he was sitting up, and had managed to dictate a statement about his illness.
Stepping down And his spokesman said on Wednesday morning there had been no change in his position
It is thought he was moved to the high dependency unit - for patients needing more observation and treatment than in a general ward - owing to his age and the fact that he suffers from diabetes. A Downing Street spokesman said Prime Minister Tony Blair wished Mr Prescott "all the best for a speedy recovery".
His official spokesman said: "He has been moved to a high-dependency unit, not because of a deterioration in his condition but so that his condition can be monitored more closely." Mr Prescott was taken ill on Saturday on a train from Hull to London.
A Downing Street spokesman said Prime Minister Tony Blair wished Mr Prescott "all the best for a speedy recovery." The deputy prime minister had been due to chair the regular meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday because Mr Blair is at the G8 summit in Germany.
Cabinet minister Peter Hain, who supported Mr Prescott's campaign to be Labour's deputy leader in 1994, said everyone in the party was wishing him a speedy recovery. Downing Street announced on Wednesday that Commons leader Jack Straw will instead chair the Cabinet meeting at which new security measures are set to be discussed.
"I have sent my best wishes to John and his family," said Mr Hain, who is one of the candidates to succeed Mr Prescott in his party role. Mr Prescott is stepping down as Labour deputy leader and deputy prime minister on 27 June - the same time as Mr Blair.
The deputy prime minister had been due to chair the regular meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday because Mr Blair is at the G8 summit in Germany.
Downing Street is expected to announce later who will take Mr Prescott's place at the meeting, leading to speculation the Chancellor Gordon Brown may step in.
In May, Mr Prescott announced he would step down as Labour deputy leader and deputy prime minister on 27 June - the same time as Mr Blair.
Kidney stonesKidney stones
During his 10 years as Mr Blair's deputy, Mr Prescott has been generally in good health.During his 10 years as Mr Blair's deputy, Mr Prescott has been generally in good health.
However, in 2002 it was announced he had suffered from type two diabetes for a number of years, managing the condition with medication.However, in 2002 it was announced he had suffered from type two diabetes for a number of years, managing the condition with medication.
And he was taken to hospital on Christmas Day 2006, when he was treated for kidney stones.And he was taken to hospital on Christmas Day 2006, when he was treated for kidney stones.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection.Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection.
Many different bacteria, viruses and even fungi can bring on the illness - although Mr Prescott's official spokesman said he did not know what had caused the pneumonia in his case.Many different bacteria, viruses and even fungi can bring on the illness - although Mr Prescott's official spokesman said he did not know what had caused the pneumonia in his case.
Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing and fever. It is frequently resolved within weeks.Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing and fever. It is frequently resolved within weeks.