Former President George H.W. Bush continues to be cared for at the intensive care unit at a Houston hospital in "guarded condition," family spokesman Jim McGrath announced on Wednesday. The 88-year-old has been battling with a severe cough and unbreakable fever since being admitted for bronchitis on November 23.
"The president is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family," McGrath said in a statement. He continued, "Following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever, President Bush was admitted to the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital on Sunday where he remains in guarded condition."
"Doctors at Methodist continue to be cautiously optimistic about the current course of treatment," McGrath added.
Although a hospital spokesman originally said that the former president would be home for Christmas, doctors at Methodist decided to keep him until he builds up his strength, Reuters reported. According to CNN, Bush is currently on a liquid diet and is being treated with Tylenol and other medication.
In an email sent to Reuters on Wednesday, McGrath said that Bush suffers from lower-body Parkinsonism, which causes a loss of balance, and has forced the former president to use a wheelchair for over a year.
Bush's family, which includes former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, expressed their confidence that he would be released soon from the intensive care unit, CNN reported on Thursday.
McGrath added, "His mood is relentlessly positive and includes humorous banter with his doctor."
Bush, a Republican, took office as the 41st U.S. president in 1989 and served one term in office. According to CNN, he is the oldest living president, beating out former President Jimmy Carter by almost four months.
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