Novant Hospitals Restrict Access to Hospitals in Wake of Flu Virus

Novant Health is asking all visitors and volunteers younger than 18 years old to refrain from entering any of its hospital locations due to the widespread outbreak of the flu virus throughout the community.

The restriction was announced just one day after Loudoun County school officials confirmed an Ashburn fifth-grader died Friday following flu complications.

The restriction, effective Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 at 8 a.m., applies to all hospitals throughout the Novant Health System, including:

• Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
• Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
• Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
• Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
• Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center
• Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
• Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
• Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center
• Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
• Novant Health Medical Park Hospital
• Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
• Novant Health Prince William Medical Center
• Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
• Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center

Adults who are experiencing runny nose, sore throat, fever or cough are also encouraged not to visit patients being treated at Novant Health facilities. Those seeking treatment at hospitals are not subject to the restriction.

“The flu virus can be extremely dangerous to people who have compromised immune systems, cancer, kidney disease and other chronic conditions,” advises Tom Zweng, M.D., chief medical officer for Novant Health. “In order to protect our patients, we are asking members of the public who are younger than 18 years old or who may be sick with the influenza virus to not visit us at this time.”

All visitors to Novant Health hospitals must properly disinfect their hands by washing with soap and water or using sanitizing gel when entering and leaving the facilities in order to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

Children may be allowed access to hospital areas in the event of special circumstances such as visiting a dying family member. In these instances, parents should work with their nurse to make arrangements.

Novant Health will evaluate the need for visitation restrictions on a weekly basis or more often as needed.

For the past week, Virginia has experienced some of the highest levels of influenza diagnoses in the nation during the 2014-2015 influenza season. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 states and Puerto Rico are experiencing the highest levels of influenza activity recorded so far this year.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death, according to the CDC. Unlike the common cold, the flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

It is important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides regularly updated information on flu activity at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm. Head over to FluView for an interactive map of the CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report.