OSU Medical Center Limits Visitors Under 13 Years Of Age

To protect patients, families, visitors and staff from the spread of seasonal and H1N1 influenza, Ohio State University Medical Center is limiting access to patient care facilities by visitors under the age of 13.

The restrictions do not apply to children at the Medical Center for medical treatment, nor for those 13-18 who are part of a patient’s immediate family and are symptom free.

The restrictions are temporary and in response to the higher than normal incidence of influenza in the central Ohio area. Ohio State and most area hospitals are limiting access to children due to them being more susceptible than adults to certain strains of the flu virus, particularly H1N1. Hospitalized patients are at higher risk if they are exposed to someone with influenza and respiratory illnesses.

University Hospital, the James Cancer Hospital, Ross Heart Hospital, Dodd Hall, OSU/Harding and University Hospital East all have restrictions in place.

For up-to-date information on the restrictions, additional limitations that might be in place at specific OSU Medical Center facilities, as well as flu-prevention information, go to http://medicalcenter.osu.edu or call 614-293-5123.

Frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into your sleeve helps to limit the spread of the flu virus. Flu-like symptoms include a fever greater than 100.4 degrees with a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headaches, fatigue, or body aches.  You can learn more at http://flu.osu.edu or on Facebook here.