The Internet is abuzz over what sort of undisclosed medical condition could have allowed Paris Hilton to be released from jail today, less than four days into her 23-day sentence.

Fresh out of jail and California dreamin'.

In a press conference today, Steve Whitmore of the Los Angeles County sheriff's office declined to specify the medical condition that will allow Hilton to serve the next 40 days under house arrest at her palatial estate in the Hollywood Hills rather than county jail.

The syndicated TV show Entertainment Tonight, citing sources close to Hilton's family, reported on its Web site that Hilton had developed a rash on her body, while celebrity Web site TMZ.com reported Hilton's medical condition was psychological. TMZ cited unidentified law enforcement sources as saying a psychiatrist who visited her in jail found she was in danger of a nervous breakdown.

Sheriff's department spokesman Whitmore said only that Hilton's incarceration was cut short after extensive consultation among various parties involved, including the sentencing judge and the sheriff.

On the gossip site PerezHilton.com, one reader wrote, "An 'unspecified medical condition' is another way of saying that Paris has herpes and that the jail does not want her to be contagious and spreading the disease. Jail is not the most sanitary of conditions and therefore cannot afford any additional diseases, to which Paris would surely be contributing."

Hilton, a celebrity who has appeared in several movies, starred in The Simple Life reality show with Nicole Richie, and recorded a self-titled album, was released this morning from prison.

Hilton must now serve 40 days of house arrest. She will have to wear an electronic monitoring device on her ankle to ensure she stays home during that period.

The 26-year-old hotel Hilton Hotel heiress was originally sentenced to 45 days in prison for violating probation after being caught driving with a suspended license. That term was later reduced to 23 days.

Hilton was arrested on charges of drunken driving in September. In January, she pleaded no contest--the equivalent of a guilty plea--to a reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving. She was sentenced to three years' probation and had her license suspended.

But she was caught driving on a suspended license in February, when police stopped her for speeding and with her headlights off at night. A traffic court judge ruled on May 4 that Hilton's latest offense constituted a probation violation.