Hospital restricting visitors because of influenza

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Community Hospital has put a temporary visitor restriction in place due to the increased outbreak of influenza in the area, according to Sharon Conroy, RN, Community Hospital Infection Prevention. Staff at the hospital is asking that people do not visit patients if they have a fever of more than 100 degrees and have a cough and/or a sore throat. Those who have been sick should not visit the hospital until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication. Children under 12 will not be allowed to visit patients during this time.

Those who do visit should remember to wash their hands often. Coughs should be covered by using a tissue or coughing into a sleeve.

The visitation restrictions will be lifted once the flu season subsides, Conroy said.

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting as well.

"If you haven't gotten your flu shot, it is not too late to get vaccinated," Conroy added.