Former President George H.W. Bush 'continues to gain strength' at Houston hospital

HOUSTON – Former President George H.W. Bush remains at Houston Methodist Hospital and continues to gain strength after being treated for a mild case of pneumonia, according to the family's spokesman, Jim McGrath.

"Mr. Bush had a good night’s rest, and his spirits are high. Although he will not be discharged today, he is already looking forward to going home to Mrs. Bush who has been constantly by his side," McGrath said.

Bush remains under observation at Houston Methodist and continues to gain strength.

He was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Tuesday for observation due to a persistent cough, which was preventing him from getting proper rest.

Doctors said he had a mild case of pneumonia, which has been treated and resolved.

"It can be very significant for someone who is 92 years old," Dr. Carlos Pwiig said. "Very susceptible to problems to complications and death. It's the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S."

Bush will remain under observation at the hospital until he regains his strength.

 

 

Here is a full statement by the Office of George H.W. Bush:

"President George H. W. Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Friday for observation due to a persistent cough that prevented him from getting proper rest. It was subsequently determined he had a mild case of pneumonia, which was treated and has been resolved. President Bush is in very good spirits and is being held for further observation while he regains his strength."

Bush has proven he knows how to recover from pneumonia.  He showed that when he flipped the coin at Super Bowl 51 in Houston just days after leaving the hospital earlier this year.

"Well, I think that recovery from pneumonia is going to vary by the person who is suffering from the condition,” said Legacy Community Health chief medical director Dr. Ann Barnes. "I think that, because he's older, immune systems are a little weaker. And you're little more frail. So clearing things from your lungs can be a little harder. So that process can be slow. But recovery is something that can occur. It's a little more slowly than it is in younger individuals."