MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center is issuing temporary visitor restrictions as influenza and other illnesses are surging across Illinois.

The health center is urging people to protect their health and the health of their patients by staying home if they are not feeling well. Children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk for becoming ill.

In a Facebook post, the health center provides a list of the temporary visitor restrictions:

• Visitors under the age of 18 are restricted (unless they are the parent of a hospitalized child)
• Visitors are limited to two per patient at any one time
• Do not visit if you have a respiratory illness
• Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask if they are experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory illness such as a fever, cough or sore throat
• Visits to patients in isolation for influenza and other respiratory illnesses are limited to people who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care. These visitors should also wear appropriate personal protective equipment supplied for the isolation rooms when they visit

At every entrance of the Health Center and at all Sarah Bush Lincoln clinics, there are supplies to protect visitors from viruses. Hand sanitizer is available inside each patient room and is setup around the hospital and clinics.

Visitors are asked to use hand sanitizer when they enter and exit any room. The health center also urges visitors to frequently was hands with soap and water, and that both that precaution and hand sanitizer are good options. The only exception is if hands are visibly covered in blood or body fluids, then soap and water is needed.

Other ways they are urging people to protect themselves include:

• Covering your cough
• Washing your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds
• Using a paper towel to dry your hands (Air dryers help grow bacteria and spread germs)
• Cleaning surfaces in your home and at work, cleaning doorknobs, chair arms, telephones, keyboards, kitchen handles and other items that are often touched
• Getting vaccinated against the flu

For additional information, contact Mara Hildebrand, BSN, RN in Infection Prevention at 217-258-7435.