Lourdes Hospital is urging those who are feeling sick or exhibiting flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting inpatients at the hospital during this flu season. Guidelines for visiting inpatients have been established at the hospital for the protection and safety of the patients.

The basic guidelines include:

• No more than 2 visitors per patient.
• Immediate family only and no visitors under the age of 18.

There may be specific areas of the hospital, such as the Birthing Center, where stricter visitation guidelines are necessary. Signs will be posted in the hospital, specifying further guidelines.

Flu-like symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• vomiting or diarrhea

All visitors are encouraged to wash hands and use hand sanitizers and to cover coughs and sneezes, as well as, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.

Hospital officials suggest making a phone call, mailing cards or sending flowers and gifts to patients in lieu of visiting.  Family members and friends are also able to send e-cards through the Lourdes website.

Those who are visiting the hospital as an out patient or emergency room patient and are experiencing flu-like symptoms are asked to notify a staff member of their symptoms immediately and wear a mask, which are provided by the hospital.