Jan. 4—A spike in respiratory viruses has prompted Union Health to implement temporary visitation restrictions effective immediately for Union Hospital Terre Haute and Union Hospital Clinton.
"We are seeing a rise in all of our respiratory viruses," including COVID-19, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection — or RSV — said Dr. Rebecca Lynch, Union Health chief medical officer.
About 10% to 15% of admitted patients at the hospital have one of those illnesses, she said.
The visitation restrictions include:
—Visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
—Visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
—Number of visitors are now limited, depending on areas of the hospital.
Self screening is required by all visitors and employees. For the safety of patients, any visitor or employee experiencing any respiratory symptoms should not enter any Union Health facilities unless seeking medical treatment, according to a news release.
Patients experiencing respiratory illness must wear a mask upon entering any Union Health facility.
More specifics on the restrictions in Terre Haute and in Clinton are available at myunionhealth.org
About 25 patients were currently admitted for one of those three respiratory viruses as of Wednesday, Lynch told reporters during a news conference. "We generally have a census of 190 to 200 adults admitted," she said.
That is outside of those who visit convenient care clinics or the emergency room that may be discharged home after diagnosis.
Lynch advised those who show symptoms to be cautious who they are around and to keep a safe distance.
Those with symptoms should wear a mask; be extra cautious if they have risk factors to get severe disease; and to practice good handwashing.
In addition, "This would be a great time to get your vaccine to try to also decrease the risk of severity of the illness should you get sick," she said.
While patients are being admitted with all three viruses, "We are seeing a great increase in RSV," she said.
RSV has been considered almost a pediatric respiratory disease "and we are definitely seeing adults get RSV and we are seeing adults get RSV severe enough they are being admitted to the hospital," she said.
As far as getting vaccines, she said individuals should talk to their health care provider. They should evaluate their risk of getting theses viruses as well as their general health "to make the best decision on which vaccines are appropriate for you to get," she said.
With people recently having gathered for the holidays, she expects to continue to see an increase in numbers of people with the respiratory viruses.
"I think we will have quite a few more respiratory illnesses over the next couple of weeks," Lynch said.
Symptoms associated with the respiratory viruses could include fever (100.4 degrees or higher), runny nose, cough, fatigue or sore throat. "It could be any one of those viruses or a less common respiratory virus circulating that we may not be able to give you a diagnosis for," Lynch said.
Those with severe symptoms should contact their health care professional for guidance on what they should do.
If people show extremely severe symptoms that might include trouble breathing, dizziness or low blood pressure, it could call for a visit to a convenient care clinic or emergency room, she said.
She also noted that there is a national shortage of RSV vaccine. "We have not been able to obtain the quantity of that vaccine we'd like to obtain," she said. "As of now, it is in extremely short supply."
Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at [email protected] Follow Sue on Twitter @TribStarSue
