George HW Bush has been admitted to a Houston hospital after contracting an infection that spread to his blood, a family spokesman said on Monday.

Mr Bush, 93, was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Sunday, a day after a funeral was held for the former president's wife, Barbara Bush, spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"President Bush was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday morning after contracting an infection that spread to his blood," said Mr McGrath.

"He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering."

His wife of 73 years died last week, after she decided to seek comfort care instead of medical treatment.