News at UI Health

UI Health is asking that individuals who are ill, coughing, sneezing, or with a fever not visit patients at the University of Illinois Hospital at this time, due to increased influenza activity in the area.

There are many cases of influenza right now in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois; the predominant strain is influenza H3N2, with small amount of H1N1 and influenza B.  

Individuals who come to the hospital and have symptoms of influenza will be asked to return home until after symptoms have resolved.  

UI Health will be implementing temporary visitor restrictions during this high-risk period, including:

• The number of visitors will be limited to two per patient at any one time, preferably only those over 18. Individuals under 18 can be allowed if they are free of influenza-like illness (ILI). Please make arrangements for child care if you are visiting a patient at University of Illinois Hospital.
• We ask that visitors with acute respiratory illness symptoms not visit; if visiting, it is required that they wear a mask be worn.
• Visits to patients in isolation for influenza will be limited to persons who are necessary for the patient's emotional well-being and care.  

In addition, UI Health will assess visitors for symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever, cough, sore throat) and ask that all visitors comply with hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene (cough) etiquette.  

What can you do to protect yourself from influenza:

• Wash your hands often. 
• If you see someone coughing or sneezing, ask them to cover their cough or sneeze and wash their hands.   

Thank you for helping us protect our patients, visitors, and staff, and prevent further spread of influenza.