IU Health is implementing “precautionary measures of visitor restrictions” until further notice to protect patients, families and hospital staff from potential exposure to the flu virus. That means only healthy adults ages 18 and older may visit patients. This includes parents, spouses, significant others and spiritual counselors, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances. A “healthy” adult is one who is not experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, body aches, diarrhea or vomiting; and someone who has not been exposed to the flu virus in the past week. Visitors are also reminded to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often. Indiana is experiencing an early and severe flu season. IU Health is the second hospital group in the area to implement visitor restrictions. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center has a similar policy in place for its hospitals in Plymouth and Mishawaka. A Pulaski Memorial Hospital spokeswoman told WKVI News that no restrictions have been put into effect there at this time.
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