Increase in Flu Cases Prompts Lakeland to Limit Visitors

Increase in Flu Cases Prompts Lakeland to Limit Visitors

(ST. JOSEPH) – As in many parts of the United States, residents of southwest Michigan are experiencing an increase in the flu. To help protect the health of our patients, Lakeland HealthCare is asking community members to follow a revised visitation policy for its hospitals. Community members are asked to please stay home and not visit loved ones at the hospital if:

You are currently sick and /or contagious. If you have, or have recently had a fever, runny nose, cough, body aches, you may be contagious.  

You are not an immediate family member of a hospitalized patient.

You are less than 18 years old.

If you are sick, please seek medical treatment from your doctor, at a walk-in clinics, or at the Emergency Department. It is not too late to have a flu shot to protect yourself and your family.

Helpful Information about the Flu Shot and Staying Healthy

If you have had the flu shot:

The flu shot does not protect you against either stomach or common cold viruses since those are not part of a flu vaccine.

If you think you have the flu despite being vaccinated (high fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, etc.), early treatment with antiviral medications like Tamiflu® will make you feel better and recover sooner. Get treatment right away.

If you want to stay well:

Stay away from people who are sick.

Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes at all times, unless you have just washed your hands.

Wash your hands frequently. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For updates on the flu and tips to stay healthy, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.