Citing an uptick in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and widespread influenza activity, American Family Children’s Hospital has temporarily restricted visitors in its inpatient units.
Starting Friday, Jan. 24, the hospital says children under age 12 will not be allowed as visitors in the inpatient units. While it is expected these restrictions will be temporary, there is no specific end date identified at this time.
This temporary restriction will not impact clinic appointments on the first and second floor of American Family Children’s Hospital, and it will not impact University Hospital. The last time visitor restrictions like this were put into place for patient safety at American Family Children’s Hospital was in 2009 due to H1N1.
The hospital says many hospitalized children are acutely ill with compromised immune systems, and influenza or respiratory infections such as RSV can exacerbate an already-difficult health condition.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can pose serious risks for infants or older adults and can even be fatal.
In addition, there are currently 25 pediatric patients in isolation as a precaution for respiratory illness. Between Sept. 1 and Jan. 22, there have been 228 pediatric flu cases, with seven hospitalizations, and six pediatric RSV infections with five hospitalizations.
