With the flu season well underway, hospitals in the Quad Cities have started restricting visitors. Following a recommendation from the Illinois Department of Public Health, both Trinity and Genesis health systems announced the guidelines Wednesday.
Jessica Hoffman, an infection prevention specialist at Trinity, says if you're sick, don't try to visit someone at the hospital - that'll protect the patient and you too.
"What we're really looking at is anybody who has any signs of acute respiratory illness - sore throat, fever, chills, and stuffy nose - that they stay home. If they do come, we ask that they wear a mask to protect themselves and others, because patients here at the hospital are immuno-compromised so any illness brought to them can be devastating."
There's been an increase in flu activity in the Quad Cities, and similar illnesses, in recent weeks, but Hoffman says so far it's still below the levels of the past two years.
The hospitals also ask visitors to wash their hands, and limit visitors to two per patient. Also visitors below the age of 18 are not allowed.
And she says it's still not too late to get a flu shot.
