In Central Illinois, as the season for respiratory illnesses persists, hospitals are updating their visitor guidelines to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

The Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), which operates in both Illinois and Wisconsin, introduced new visitor restrictions starting Monday as a preventive measure. The updated policy permits only two visitors per patient at a time, with a strong recommendation that visitors be at least 18 years old.

Crucially, HSHS emphasizes that individuals exhibiting cold or flu symptoms—such as fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, cough, or runny nose—should refrain from visiting patients.

Tim Ditman, Media Relations Coordinator at OSF, shared with WCIA that their hospitals are instituting similar guidelines.

“For patients who are isolated due to flu-like symptoms, visitation will be confined to those essential for the patient’s care,” Ditman explained. “In unique situations, like when visitors are under 18 or patients are in critical condition, we’ll evaluate on a case-by-case basis and might make exceptions.”

Officials from Memorial Health told WCIA that they have nothing in place for now, but temporary visitor restrictions may go into effect soon at their hospitals.

“We are monitoring respiratory illness activity and, when necessary, will implement restrictions with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health,” Memorial officials said. “Safety is our top concern for patients, visitors and health care professionals. Protect yourself and those around you by taking enhanced precautions such as practicing appropriate hygiene by diligently washing your hands and staying home if you are feeling ill.”

Carle Health expressed a similar sentiment.

“Carle Health Infection Prevention experts continually monitor levels of illness our care teams encounter and consider local and state metrics along with industry best practices to set guidelines,” Carle officials said. “We will share communications should policies or protocols change to ensure the health and safety of our patients.”