Swine Flu Leads Hospitals to Turn Children Away

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Swine Flu Leads Hospitals to Turn Children Away

Story Created: Oct 23, 2009 at 9:56 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 23, 2009 at 9:56 AM CST

(LOS ANGELES) Swine flu has hospitals across the country on alert. In an extraordinary move, many are restricting visitor access and keeping younger kids out completely unless they're sick.

Five-year-old Jack and his eight-year-old brother Michael are waiting with Grandma on the front steps of Cedars Sinai Hospital while the rest of the family visits their aunt who just gave birth to a baby boy. H1N1 cases in Los Angeles County have shot up over the past two weeks, and many hospitals, including Cedars, are restricting children visits as a precaution.

"I think that's a good idea, that's the best for everyone," said Maria Grammatico, grandmother of Jack and Michael.

Inside the hospital, there are plenty of anti-bacteria stations and reminders for people to wash their hands. The reason children aren't allowed, according to Dr. Rekha Murthy, Director of Hospital Epidemiology, is simple--the evidence shows that with this virus, they're the most vulnerable group, meaning the odds are higher that they'll either get it here, or spread it here.

"We are experiencing an epidemic that appears to be actually escalating and hospitals have to respond to that escalation until we know its going to peak and reduce," said Murthy.

Hospitals around the country have instituted similar visitation restrictions. The new policy at Cedars went into effect Monday, with security guards turning away children at hospital entrances.

"Hardly any problems at all, I think 90 percent of the people coming through here are understanding of what's going on," said John Saiza with hospital security.

Jack and Michael's new cousin is scheduled to come home at the end of the week. Cedars and other hospitals say they're hoping that children will be welcomed back soon.

Courtesy of Ted Rowlands with CNN

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