Unity Point Health Enforces Visitor Restrictions

The flu is taking its toll.

With the recent outbreak of influenza and the increase incidences of norovirus, Unity Point Health in Keokuk is asking anyone with symptoms to refrain from visiting friends and family in the hospital. Especially children.

Unity Point Health- Keokuk sent out the advisory with the following warning on the dangers of influenza sufferers exposing patients:

“In recent weeks the incidence of influenza has been increasing in all populations. Influenza is a severe respiratory illness caused by a virus. In some cases it can be so severe it causes death. Antibiotics do not work for illnesses caused by viruses. The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported an increase in influenza activity in Iowa. There is also a high incidence of influenza and influenza-like illnesses, which are severe respiratory infections that are not influenza, circulating throughout several nearby communities.

Norovirus, or “the stomach flu bug” that causes stomach cramping, vomiting, and/or diarrhea is also spreading throughout our area. Exposure to any of these viral illnesses could be life threatening for anyone who is already compromised. This means to very young, the elderly, already ill, or immunocompromised are unable to effectively fight off illness. We want to protect not only our patients, also the staff who care for them. Children are more likely to spread illness due to several different factors. Therefore Unity Point Health – Keokuk is asking that children under the age of 13 not visit the hospital unless they are brought in as a patient for services and treatment”.

Symptoms are the following:

• Fever
• Runny Nose
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea in the last 48 hours
• Known exposure to someone ill in the last 7 days
• Any other symptoms of illness