Hospitals lift H1N1 restrictions on children’s visitors

DAYTON — Area hospitals ended restrictions on visitors under age 14 on Tuesday, Jan. 19, because of a decrease in patients with H1N1 or seasonal flu-like symptoms, according to the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association.

Hospitals will continue to limit visits by those showing flu symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, vomiting, sore throat, muscle aches or diarrhea, GDAHA said.

To avoid contracting or transmitting the flu, whose peak often comes in January or later, GDAHA advises that people should wash their hands often, cover their mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing, and consider getting the seasonal flu vaccine if they haven’t already.

Dayton-area hospitals began restricting visits by children Oct. 5 to minimize the spread of seasonal and H1N1 flu.