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7 hospitals restrict visits to thwart flu
Children under 18 asked to stay home due to virus's incubation period
By Liv Osby
September 12, 2009
Seven Upstate hospitals announced Friday they are limiting visitation until further notice to prevent the spread of swine flu.
AnMed Health, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Cannon Memorial Hospital, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Oconee Memorial Hospital, Palmetto Health Baptist Easley and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System are restricting visits by children under age 18.
?We know the predominance of the disease is really within the pediatric population and the concern is you?re shedding virus 24 hours before you actually become ill,? said Dr. Robin LaCroix, pediatric disease specialist with GHS.
?A family member in innocence could bring a child up to visit a sibling or classmate, and not realize they?re incubating and infectious for influenza and then the child who?s in the hospital gets the flu and could have a really severe course,? she said.
Children with pulmonary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, cardiac conditions, and those who have suppressed immune systems, such as children on chemotherapy, are most at risk, as are newborns and children hospitalized for surgery or for other infections, LaCroix said.
Elderly patients are at risk too, she said.
?If a grandchild comes to visit Grandpa and they?re incubating influenza, they could transmit it to Grandpa,? she said.
Adults with mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat and head or body aches, are asked not to visit.
The hospitals in a joint statement said they understand the restrictions could cause some disruption, but added they were working to reduce exposure.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 1,307 positive flu tests for the week ending Sept. 5. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vast majority of cases being reported are swine flu.
Other hospitals across the state are restricting visitation and employing other prevention measures, such as vaccinating staff and volunteers, providing masks to people in the ER with flu-like symptoms, and stepping up hand-hygiene compliance, according to the South Carolina Hospital Association.
http://beta.greenvilleonline.com/ar...01/7-hospitals-restrict-visits-to-thwart-flu-
Children under 18 asked to stay home due to virus's incubation period
By Liv Osby
September 12, 2009
Seven Upstate hospitals announced Friday they are limiting visitation until further notice to prevent the spread of swine flu.
AnMed Health, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Cannon Memorial Hospital, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Oconee Memorial Hospital, Palmetto Health Baptist Easley and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System are restricting visits by children under age 18.
?We know the predominance of the disease is really within the pediatric population and the concern is you?re shedding virus 24 hours before you actually become ill,? said Dr. Robin LaCroix, pediatric disease specialist with GHS.
?A family member in innocence could bring a child up to visit a sibling or classmate, and not realize they?re incubating and infectious for influenza and then the child who?s in the hospital gets the flu and could have a really severe course,? she said.
Children with pulmonary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, cardiac conditions, and those who have suppressed immune systems, such as children on chemotherapy, are most at risk, as are newborns and children hospitalized for surgery or for other infections, LaCroix said.
Elderly patients are at risk too, she said.
?If a grandchild comes to visit Grandpa and they?re incubating influenza, they could transmit it to Grandpa,? she said.
Adults with mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat and head or body aches, are asked not to visit.
The hospitals in a joint statement said they understand the restrictions could cause some disruption, but added they were working to reduce exposure.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 1,307 positive flu tests for the week ending Sept. 5. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vast majority of cases being reported are swine flu.
Other hospitals across the state are restricting visitation and employing other prevention measures, such as vaccinating staff and volunteers, providing masks to people in the ER with flu-like symptoms, and stepping up hand-hygiene compliance, according to the South Carolina Hospital Association.
http://beta.greenvilleonline.com/ar...01/7-hospitals-restrict-visits-to-thwart-flu-