Hillary Clinton slammed for HUGGING young girl despite suffering from contagious pneumonia – as new footage shows her collapsing at 9/11 memorial
HILLARY CLINTON has been blasted for hugging a young girl after collapsing at yesterday's 9/11 ceremony - despite knowing that she was suffering from contagious pneumonia.
A wave of criticism has flooded in as new footage emerged from an alternative angle showing the presidential wannabe swaying before she is helped into the back of a van.
The Democratic candidate was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday before she took a tumble at yesterday's "incredibly stifling" 9/11 memorial service.
The illness is spread from person-to-person when people breathe in tiny particles that make it into the air.
Someone can easily be infected when a sufferer sneezes while in close proximity to them.
Pneumonia causes swelling of the tissue on one or both lungs and symptoms include coughing, rapid heartbeat, fever, and chest pain.
Clinton was taken to back to her daughter's apartment after he collapse yesterday and emerged looking happy and relaxed.
She then smiled and posed for pictures as she embraced a young girl.
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The photo-op has been roundly criticised on social media with Twitter user Ed Hansberry posting: "Wait? She has pneumonia so bad she passed out from it, yet hugs a little girl today? #HillarysHealth"
Vic Niederhoffer tweeted: "You have to admire someone so healthy she cares to hug a little girl just a day into pneumonia (sic)"
Matt Walsh tweeted: "Why did Hillary Clinton risk exposing this little girl to pneumonia?"
Clinton has slammed for the move amid reports talks are taking place in the Democratic camp over who might be best placed to replace her in the presidential race .
Her opposing candidate Donald Trump has since spoken out and told Fox News that he hoped Clinton would "get well soon".
He said: "I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail and we'll be seeing her at the debate."
Clinton was due to leave this morning for a two-day trip to California that included fundraisers and a speech on the economy.
But on doctor's orders the 68-year-old was forced to cancel the trip.
Clinton's doctor Lisa Bardack said in statement: "Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies. On Friday, during follow up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia.
"She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule.
"While at this morning's event, she became overheated and dehydrated.
"I have just examined her and she is now re-hydrated and recovering nicely."
The presidential candidate tried to hose down concerns around her health saying that she was "feeling great" as she left her daughter's apartment.
She yelled to press across the street from Chelsea Clinton's apartment: "It's a beautiful day in New York."
But yesterday's collapse and the cancellation of her California trip is likely to add fuel to internet rumours about her alleged poor health.
Footage of Clinton's collapse shows her resting on a concrete barrier as she struggles to stay on her feet.
Helpers desperately tried to keep her upright before ushering her into the van.
She appears to almost fall to the floor before she is bundled into the vehicle and whisked away.
that Clinton's knees appeared to buckle as she left the service.
A spokesman for Clinton, Nick Merrill, said Clinton had attended the service for an hour and 30 minutes.
He said: "Secretary Clinton attended the September 11th Commemoration Ceremony for just an hour and thirty minutes this morning to pay her respects and greet some of the families of the fallen.
"During the ceremony , she felt overheated so departed to go to her daughter's apartment, and is feeling much better."
Fox News also reported that the former Secretary of State had to wait for her motorcade for several minutes as her security detail had not realised she would be leaving early.
Clinton arrived at the New York ceremony in the morning, wearing dark glasses, having released a statement saying it was important to honour the lives and "tremendous spirit" of the victims and responders of September 11, 2001.
She and opposing candidate Donald Trump both attended the morning service to mark 15 years on from the September 11 attacks, with Trump remaining after she had left.
Clinton has been plagued by speculation that she is not fit enough to serve as US President.
She was even jokingly challenged to show she could open a jar of pickle to prove she was in good health.
The candidate also had her pulse taken as part of the joke.
Clips of Clinton appearing to cough up green mucus also sent ripples through the presidential race.
Clinton had a coughing fit while speaking at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio, and was forced to take a moment to sip some water and recover.
Her opposing candidate Trump has used the incidents to claim that Clinton is too weak to serve as the US president, also saying she takes too many naps to properly serve.
He also said he had "no idea" what had happened to Clinton when he was asked about her health following the ceremony.
Trump also said he had "no idea" what had happened to Clinton when he was asked about her health following the ceremony.
Clinton emerged from her daughter Chelsea's home two hours after collapse walking unaided and waving to reporters.
The Democratic candidate repeatedly said she "felt great" when asked by journalists but failed to answer questions about what exactly happened.
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