Alan Jones 'lucky to be alive' after developing infection

Broadcaster Alan Jones is “lucky to be alive” after going into septic shock, a friend has told News Corp.

The 76-year-old was off the airwaves last week after being admitted to the intensive care unit of Sydney’s St Vincent’s Private Hospital.

He had developed an infection thought to be septicaemia that started in his urinary tract, the Daily Telegraph reports.

“Alan has been told he is lucky to be alive after enduring serious pain and delaying treatment for what quickly became a serious infection,” a unnamed friend told the newspaper.

He is expected to remain off-air for at least another week.

Jones put the hospitalisation down to a “nasty bug” in a post on his Facebook page.

"Feel like I've gone 15 rounds with [boxer Muhammad] Ali,” he said.

Jones has battled a series of health setbacks in the past year and spent four months off the airwaves from November, after several operations on his neck and back.

His 2GB colleague Chris Smith took over his regular slot last week.