by 
Hospitals throughout the nation are ramping up for the peak of the flu season, which is just beginning to hit the Chicagoland area, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By having an increasing number of patients being hospitalized, the Chicago Department of Public Health insurance and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)?are advocating for?flu vaccinations when you have not yet received them.?
In an additional effort to help prevent flu outbreaks within healthcare facilities, some hospitals across Illinois and the country are restricting visitors. So if you’re likely to go to a friend or family member within the hospital within the next couple of months, you may want to telephone first.
In a release shared publically a week ago, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) warned of a widespread rise in flu cases over the state and has advocated flu vaccinations for those who have not received them. Additionally, many hospitals have begun implementing restrictions on younger visitors, as well as a limit of two visitors to a patient previously.
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, along with?four other Advocate hospitals, including Christ Clinic in Oak Lawn,?Condell Clinic?in Libertyville,?Good Shepherd Hospital?in Barrington,?Sherman Hospital?in Elgin and?Trinity Hospital in Chicago,?for example,?are actually restricting pediatric visitors, limiting?two visitors per patient at one time, and asking anyone with flu-like symptoms-fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat-not to go to. In addition, medical service providers in the hospital have been necessary to be vaccinated.?
“These measures will be to protect the and safety of patients and visitors,” says Teresa Chou, MPH, MS, RN, CIC, manager, infection prevention and control, at?Illinois Masonic Clinic. “Many of the patients who’re hospitalized are most susceptible to infection. We want to ensure they aren’t subjected to the flu unnecessarily while in our care.”?
Typically, influenza season reaches its peak in February or early March, but cases happen to be reported in all 50 states, based on the latest information from the CDC. It is widespread in a minimum of 35 states, including Illinois.?
“It’s as much as every individual hospital to determine what restrictions they’ll put on visitation, based on what’s happening in their own community,” Chou says. “If you realize someone in the hospital, I would recommend calling first prior to going for any visit. And, for those who have any symptoms of cold or flu yourself, please stay at home until you are feeling better. You could visit by telephone.”
