In order to protect patients, Hunterdon Medical Center near Flemington will bar children under 18 from visiting patients in the hospital during the flu season.
Over the past few weeks, Hunterdon County has seen an increase in illness reported throughout school districts and high flu activity has been identified throughout the county.
“Patients who are admitted to the hospital are already sick and their immune system can be weak, making it more difficult to fight off infections like the flu,” said Lisa Rasimowicz, Director of Infection Prevention at the medical center.
“We want to best protect our patients from developing the flu and restricting visitation among children, who are at a higher risk of coming in contact with viruses like the flu, will help prevent the spread of the illness. This visitation restriction is only for inpatients during the flu season,” she said.
Children will still be allowed to enter the hospital and won’t be restricted from any outpatient testing or other services at the hospital.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. While most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. Examples are older people, young children and people with certain health conditions.
Flu symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting (occurs mostly in children).
“The flu spreads in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to seven days after getting sick. So it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you’re sick, as well as while you are sick,” said Ms. Rasimowicz.
To help stop the spread of viruses like the flu, it’s important to cover coughs and sneezes, stay away from sick people (and stay home if you’re sick), and wash hands often.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine. Contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment. If you need a primary care physician, call the hospital’s Physician Referral Service at 1-800-511-4462 or visit www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.
