California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein hospitalized, receiving treatment for shingles

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the state's longest serving senator, is hospitalized with shingles, receiving treatment for the virus.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the 89-year-old's hospitalization.

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Feinstein was diagnosed with the virus during the Senate's February recess and is expected to make a full recovery, her office confirmed to USA TODAY. Feinstein is hoping to return to the Senate later in the month.

Shingles is a painful rash consisting of blisters, caused by the varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox – and can spread with direct content with the fluid from the blisters to individuals who haven't had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Delaware Sen. Chris Coons was also recently diagnosed with shingles while on a congressional delegation to Africa this past week, according to Coons' spokesperson Will Baskin-Gerwitz.

Coons' staffer said the senator doesn't believe he nor anyone he traveled with had been in personal contact with Feinstein since before Feb. 16.

Feinstein officially announced she won't run for another Senate term in February after much speculation on whether she would given her age and questions about her fitness for office.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feinstein hospitalized with shingles, expected to make full recovery