Hospital Restricts Visitors To Combat Flu Outbreak

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A Bartow County hospital is taking steps to curtail the widespread flu outbreak in the area and across the country. Cartersville Medical Center will be restricting visitors who are experiencing flu-like symptoms from visiting patients, according to its Facebook page.

Along with halting visits from those experiencing these symptoms, the hospital is also restricting visits from those under the age of 13 and those are not immediate family members or "other significant persons as defined by the patient."

Flu-like symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, chills, body aches, runny or stuffy nose and vomiting or diarrhea.

"This request is being made in an effort to protect patients, families, and hospital staff from the spread of the flu," the hospital said. "We appreciate the community’s understanding and support."

The Georgia Department of Public Health encourages you to take the following steps to reduce your chances of contracting the flu or spreading the virus:

• Frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol based gels are the next best thing if you don’t have access to soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing to help prevent the spread of the flu. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or arm.
• Avoid touching your face as flu germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.
• If you are sick, stay home from school or work. Flu sufferers should be free of a fever, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours before returning to school or work.

As of late last week, five people reportedly have died from the flu and more than 300 have been hospitalized. In a message released Friday, Georgia Public Health Commissioner J. Patrick O’Neal notes the primary flu strain going around in Georgia and the United States is H3N2, which can be particularly hard on the very young, people over age 65, or those with existing medical conditions.

The Department is also encouraging you to get your flu shot. The flu vaccine provides the best protection against the flu and even if you do get sick, it can help lessen the symptoms and duration of your illness.

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