George H.W. Bush Hospitalized Since Last Week Due to 'Chronic Cough

Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized for nearly a full week due to a persistent cough, CNN and the Houston Chronicle reported.

The 88-year-old Bush has been suffering from bronchitis but his condition is not considered life-threatening, his chief of staff Jean Becker told the Chronicle.

Bush was admitted to Houston's Methodist Hospital the day after Thanksgiving. Becker said the news was kept quiet "out of respect for him." Bush has been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks.

"His big problem is a chronic cough, he can't get rid of so he's back at Methodist," Becker said. "This is not a life-threatening illness."

Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura visited his father on Sunday, the Chronicle reported.

Becker said Bush is expected to be released this weekend.