Former US president George HW Bush is in intensive care at a Houston hospital in “guarded condition”, family spokesman Jim McGrath has said.
The 88-year-old was admitted to hospital on November 23rd for treatment for bronchitis.
“The president is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family,” said Mr McGrath.
“Following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever, Mr Bush was admitted to the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital on Sunday, where he remains in guarded condition,” said Mr McGrath.
“Doctors at Methodist continue to be cautiously optimistic about the current course of treatment.”
A hospital spokesman said in mid-December that the former president was expected to be home in time for Christmas, but that spokesman later said doctors felt he should build up his strength before returning home.
One term
Mr Bush has lower-body parkinsonism, which causes a loss of balance, and has used a wheelchair for more than a year, said Mr McGrath.
Mr Bush, the 41st US president and a Republican, took office in 1989 and served one term in the White House. He led an international coalition that ejected Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991.
He is the father of former President George W Bush and also served as a congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China, director of the CIA and as vice-president for two terms under Ronald Reagan.
The former president’s wife, Barbara, and a son and a grandson, visited him on Christmas Day.
A hospital spokesman said Mr Bush continued to be alert. – (Reuters)