Bush In Stable Condition, Continues To Fight Illness

Former US President George H.W. Bush is in stable condition at a Houston area hospital. The former President was admitted for observation related to a lingering cough. Doctors listed former President Bush in stable condition after diagnosing him with bronchitis.

The 88-year-old former President has been observed for several days, and Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik says no change has been found in his condition.

The doctor in charge of his care, Dr. Amy Myunderse, says Bush is in stable condition and his condition was never life-threatening. However, Myunderse said of the former President’s battle:

“Anytime someone the president’s age has bronchitis, there’s concern about possible pneumonia. But Mr. Bush’s condition never progressed to that level.”

Pneumonia typically only presents itself from bronchitis when the condition is bacterial in nature.

While former President Bush is in stable condition, doctors have been concerned about how his battle against Parkinson’s disease will affect his breathing problems. Parkinson’s is a neurological problem that can effect muscle tone and ultimately damage the respiratory system.

While George Bush’s aides originally said he could be released by this weekend, they now say he will stay put to “play it safe” as conditions from his cough remain unchanged.

This is not the first time George Bush has been in the hospital for bronchitis-related problems, having suffered from a similar set of complications several times in the past. Bush was listed in stable condition during each of his last visits.

Visiting the senior Bush in the hospital have been his son — former President George W. Bush — and former first lady Laura Bush.