Eden, NC -- Morehead Memorial Hospital is implementing visitation restrictions to protect its patients.
Officials say they are enforcing restrictions on children under 12-years-old starting Thursday because of increased flu activity.
"Visitors 12 and older have a better understanding regarding protected coughing and sneezing and hand hygiene practices," said Teresa Johnson, a hospital infection control nurse.
Hospital staff is also advising anyone who has flu symptoms to refrain from visiting patients to avoid flu spread.
Flu symptoms:
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Cough
• Body Aches
High Point Regional Health System has banned all children under the age of 18-years-old, without a doctor's permission. As of Thursday, the ban is still in effect.
For Randolph Hospital, children under the age of 12 are not to visit the hospital during the flu season. News 2 is told, there is not a ban as of Thursday.
At this time, Mose Cone Hospitals & Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center officials are not restricting visitors due to the flu. However, they are asking anyone who is ill to not visit unless it is absolutely necessary.
Here's how you can avoid getting the flu:
"Hand washing remains the most effective way to stop the disease cycle," Mrs. Johnson said.
Other recommendations include:
• Avoiding crowds during a flu outbreak. When you're surrounded by people in the middle of an outbreak, it is likely that someone in the crowd has the flu.
• Engaging in activities that can help your immune system stay strong and fight off potential infections. These include getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water and eating nutritious food.
WFMY News 2