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Hillary Clinton says she didn't think her pneumonia diagnosis was "that big a deal" before she was taken ill during a 9/11 memorial event.

The Democratic presidential nominee vowed to be back on the campaign trail within days after she was forced to cancel planned events following her near-collapse on Sunday.

The 68-year-old admitted she had ignored doctor's orders to rest before she 'overheated' and felt faint at the 9/11 service in New York.

Asked when she will return to campaigning, Clinton told CNN: "Well, it will be in the next couple of days.

"I just want to get this over and done with and get back on the trail as soon as possible.

"I just didn't think it was going to be that big a deal."

(Image: @neilturner) (Image: @neilturner) (Image: Facebook)

The Clinton campaign acknowledged it may have been too slow disclosing her pneumonia diagnosis. She was diagnosed with the lung infection on Friday.

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told MSNBC: "I think that in retrospect, we could have handled it better in terms of providing more information more quickly."

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Earlier on Monday, Clinton took to Twitter to assure her millions of followers she was OK.

She wrote: "Thanks to everyone who’s reached out with well wishes! I’m feeling fine and getting better.

"Thanks to everyone who’s reached out with well wishes! I’m feeling fine and getting better."

The presidential frontrunner's diagnosis was revealed after footage emerged of her being taken ill.

She was rushed to daughter Chelsea's apartment to recover after 'overheating' at the commemoration.

A video appeared on social media showing members of staff helping her as she stumbled into her car.

Clinton joined President Barack Obama and other dignitaries at the 15th anniversary of the the 2001 attacks where a recital of the names of the dead was read out.

Footage later appeared of her reappearing from Chelsea's home in much better health, and smiling at the crowd.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: Reuters) (Image: AP)

According to a campaign aide, Clinton had a medical examination when she got back to her home in Chappaqua, New York.

Her doctor, Lisa Bardack, said she has been experiencing a cough related to allergies and that an examination on Friday showed that she was suffering from pneumonia.

Bardack said: "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 diagnosis comes after Clinton's campaign hit back at conspiracy theories that she is hiding a secret illness.

The Presidential hopeful said rumours that she is in poor health are part of a “wacky strategy” against her.

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And Clinton last month poked fun at claims by rival Donald Trump that she is “weak” by opening a jar of pickles on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show.

The Democratic nominee told the audience: "Back in October, the National Enquirer said I would be dead in six months. So with every breath I take I feel like I have a new lease on life.

“I don't know why they are saying this. I think on the one hand it is part of the wacky strategy - just say all these crazy things and maybe you can get some people to believe you."