Prince William Hospital has announced new visitation guidelines banning children under 18 from visiting during flu season.
Unless they are at the hospital for medical care, visitors under 18 will not be permitted in patient care areas because children and adolescents are more susceptible to the H1N1 flu and have a higher incidence of infection than adults.
The hospital made the changes in response to concerns about the potential spread of H1N1, or swine flu, according to a hospital press release.
The restrictions are based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations and supported by the Virginia Department of Health, the release stated.
In the birthing center, only spouse or the primary patient support person will be allowed to visit mothers and infants.
Also, tours of the birthing center have been suspended. In the pediatric unit, visitors will be limited to parents and guardians.
The hospital is also urging people with flu-like symptoms — including a sore throat, coughing, body ache or fever greater than 100 degrees — to refrain from visiting the hospital, the release stated.
The new policy does not apply to patients in the Emergency Department. Children under 18 may visit the ER with an adult.
“The visitation policy will remain in effect until the incidence of flu has significantly decreased,” the release stated.
Officials at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge could not be reached Thursday evening to determine if the facility has a similar policy in place.
For more information on the flu, visit the Virginia Department of Health Web site.
Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.
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