AtlantiCare restricts visits during flu, virus season

With flu and virus season in full effect, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center is restricting visitors.Those younger than 14 may not visit the following places:•The Roger B. Hansen Center for Childbirth, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus, Pomona, including Labor and Delivery, Maternal Newborn, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. •The Stanley M. Grossman Pediatric Center, ARMC City Campus. •The AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute, a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner in both Egg Harbor Township and Cape May Court House.While siblings of hospitalized pediatric patients might seem well Dr. Susan Mah, M.D., warns that they can develop flu and other respiratory illnesses shortly after their sibling is hospitalized. "It is for their protection and that of all of our patients, visitors, staff and providers that we have implemented this temporary restriction,” said Mah, medical director of pediatrics for CHOP Care Network at AtlantiCare. “We have experienced an increase in the number of young patients with RSV ( respiratory syncytial virus) symptoms as regional cases rise in this common, contagious virus,” said Dr. Jennifer Tioseco, medical director, CHOP Care Network at AtlantiCare. “Infants and young children whose immune systems are weakened due to illness or medical treatment are at higher risk for complications of RSV.” Year-round AtlantiCare restricts anyone with a fever of 100 or above and any of the following from visiting all areas of the hospital and its ambulatory care sites. •Cough•Sore throat•Runny or stuffy nose•Muscle or body aches•Headaches•Fatigue (tiredness)•Vomiting and diarrhea “Our patients who have health issues that impact their immunity are more susceptible to flu and other illnesses,” said Dr. Manish Trivedi, director for the Division of Infectious Diseases, ARMC. “We are taking this precautionary measure to protect them, their families and our community."The medical professionals also urge the community to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to protect themselves from the flu.That include the flu vaccine for those 6 months and older, along with washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick also prevent spread of flu. “Your co-workers, family and friends would rather you miss that meeting or holiday party than potentially spread the flu virus to them," Trivedi said.