HAVERHILL — In an effort to protect its patients and employees from exposure to the flu, Merrimack Valley Hospital has restricted patient visiting to those above the age 14.
The Emergency Department at Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill saw 32 patients displaying flu-like symptoms during the first week of October, according to hospital spokeswoman Mary O'Neil.
The number grew each week and from Oct. 25-31 the Emergency Department saw 72 patients with symptoms such as high temperature, cough, cold and body aches.
"We have seen an increase, if not in confirmed cases of swine flu, certainly in the number of folks presenting to the ED with flu like symptoms," O'Neil said.
Hospital Emergency Services Director Audrey Mears said not only have the number of patients with flu-like systems increased but the ages of patients visiting the emergency room are much younger.
"Typically, children with fever and flu go to their pediatricians but there really is a near panic for many parents who haven't been able to get the H1N1 vaccine for their children," Mears said. "They are concerned regarding pneumonia, especially in children with asthma."
Mears said the good news is that children are staying home from school when they are ill and parents have been very good about checking for fever.
"Antibacterial hand sanitizer is being used regularly by children and adults along with good cough hygiene," she said.
O'Neil said the hospital is also seeing an increase in the number of employee illnesses due to flu-like illnesses.
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