With flu cases in Illinois declining, Sarah Bush Lincoln has lifted its visitor restrictions effective May 10.
For the safety of patients and their families, the Health Center limited inpatient hospital visits to two visitors per patient at one time beginning in January. Visitors were also limited to people who are at least 18 years old and showed no sign of illness.
Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January and February, beginning as early as October and ending as late as May, according to the CDC website. As many as 20 percent of all Americans get the flu each year.
Despite the decline, Sarah Bush Lincoln asks individuals of all ages who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to help control the spread of the illness by not visiting patients in the hospital. Symptoms include: fever, headaches, body ache, pain, cough or sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, chill, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Protective health equipment, such as gloves and masks, are available near patient rooms, and hand sanitizer is always available at entrances of each of Sarah Bush Lincoln’s buildings, on patient care floors and inside all patient rooms. Visitors are encouraged to use it to protect themselves and help stop the spread of germs.