Centra blocks visitors under 13 as flu symptoms spread

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Over the past several weeks, the number of patients with flu-like symptoms seen at Lynchburg General Hospital has almost tripled.

That increase, along with the ease with which the viruses spread, prompted Centra on Thursday to ban visitors under the age of 13 and limit the number of visitors a patient with the flu can have, said Kathy Bailey, a registered nurse and director of infection control at Centra.

Roanoke-based Carilion instituted a ban on Wednesday at its facilities for visitors under the age of 18. That includes Bedford Memorial Hospital, which Carilion runs jointly with Centra.

“The flu is here in Central Virginia, here in Lynchburg,” said Matthew Henley, a physician in the emergency department at Lynchburg General. “We are anticipating an increase in the number of patients with flu-like symptoms.”

Bailey said the hospital has seen a jump in the number of cases with flu-like symptoms from 10 to 15 per day several weeks ago to upwards of 50 now.

School is back in session and that means children are in close contact with each other and may not always practice proper hand- cleaning procedures, Bailey said.

“When individuals are in close association with each other we will see an increase in transmission,” Bailey said.

Symptoms of the flu include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

“Without question, stay home from work or school,” Bailey said. “The Centers for Disease Control recommends no fever for 24 hours before a person returns to school or work. The exception is for those who work as healthcare providers. They must first check with their employer before coming back to work.”

She emphasized hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease. Either wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.

Most cases do not require a trip to the emergency room, or even to a doctor. The concern comes with high-risk patients or those with dangerous symptoms and those need to be treated by a physician, Henley said.

High-risk groups are: children younger that 5 years old but particularly those younger than 2; those age 65 and older; pregnant women; and those who have cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological and neuromuscular disorders or those with weakened immune systems.

The emergency warning signs in children include: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough, or a fever with a rash.

In adults the warning symptoms include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or severe or persistent vomiting.

“The large majority of folks with the H1N1 virus have mild symptoms that do not require medical care,” Henley said.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available, but the H1N1 flu vaccine is currently only being released to health care professionals, then to high-risk groups, Henley said. It is not yet available to the general public.

Centra guidelines:

- Visitors under the age of 13 will not be allowed in the hospital.

- Visitors exhibiting flu-like symptoms should not visit the hospital.

- Visitors for patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms are restricted to one family member or caretaker.

- Visitors for patients with flu-like symptoms must wear masks when visiting the patients and sanitize their hands upon leaving the patient’s room.