Effective Monday, October 5, officials at Northern Hospital are asking residents for full support of a change that will restrict visitors who are under the age of 18. Accordingly, those who are under age 18 will not be permitted to visit patients, including siblings, friends or family members. The restrictions apply to hospital lobbies, waiting areas, and patient rooms.

The hospital’s policy does not prohibit children who need to be with their parents in the Emergency Department. This also does not apply to any child who is a patient or receiving medical services.

The hospital recognizes that these actions may cause some disruption to families but emphasize that their first priority is ensuring the safest possible environment for patients, staff and the public by minimizing the potential for exposure to the flu. Until the flu incidence rate has significantly decreased, these new guidelines will be in effect, based on several factors:

• Of all H1N1 flu cases reported in North Carolina, a very high ratio has been in children and young adults up to 24 years of age. Further, children are often contagious before they show signs of an illness. Allowing this age group to visit in hospital patient areas presents potential risks to patients and others. • As the 18 years and under population has been determined to be more susceptible to H1N1, visiting a hospital significantly increases the child’s risk for contracting flu. As always, any adult with the following symptoms are asked not to visit the hospital: • Mild flu-like illness • Cough, sore throat, head and body aches • Fever of at least 100 degrees in the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications

Further updates on H1N1 influenza will continue to be posted on the hospital’s website at www.northernhospital.com.