Fremont-Rideout restricting visitation

Fremont-Rideout Health Group facilities began strict visitation restrictions to stop the spread of swine flu Monday, but with some exceptions.

Children 14 and under are barred from visiting patients, and FRHG also is limiting visitors to two people without flu symptoms per patient. However, siblings are being allowed to see newborns and their mother, and families can visit near-death patients.

"But there's really no exception for those with flu-like symptoms," said Kristine Cassidy, Fremont Medical Center administrator. "We're trying to be consistent across the board."

FRHG's policy was modeled after those adopted by other Northern California hospitals as well as based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The hospital is not just protecting the patients, "but trying to limit the exposure to the community as well," Cassidy said.

FRHG is taking the precautions at their hospitals because children are more likely to get swine flu (H1NI flu virus) and they can be infectious for longer periods of time, even after symptoms disappear. People infected with H1N1 can be contagious one day before and five to seven days after experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Based on first-day reaction at Fremont to the policy, visitors have been understanding of the new policy, Cassidy said.

"We really appreciate the public's cooperation," Cassidy said.

On the Net

Find the latest information on the flu at www.flu.gov