Flu Information for Patients & Visitors
New Visting Restrictions
Due to the increasing number of flu cases throughout Michigan,
effective immediately, the Detroit Medical Center has implemented new visitor
guidelines at all DMC facilities, for the health and safety of our patients,
their families and the community. The new guidelines, in effect, are:
- All patients are allowed up to two visitors at any one time.
- Visitors ages 12 and under, including siblings and other relatives, will not be allowed on inpatient hospital floors or in the observation units.
- Visitors ages 13 and over who have a fever, cough or rash are asked to choose another time to visit. This applies to both private and semi-private rooms. If hospitals have policies that are more restrictive than the proposed guidelines, they will continue to use them.
- Visitors who exhibit illness or cold symptoms are encouraged to visit during a period of wellness.
Because the DMC takes protecting the health and welfare of our patients seriously we ask that all patients and visitors take some of the same precautions to prevent flu infections as our employees, to include:
- Limit exposures to people (especially patients) at high risk of flu infection complications such as: People age 65 and older, Pregnant, Children younger than 5 (especially those younger than 2 years old), People of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, lung disease, neurological conditions), Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, etc.
- Receive annual flu vaccination as soon as available (takes up to two weeks for immunity)
- Wash hands often with soap and water (use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water not available)
- Cover mouth and nose during coughs and or sneezes
- Use single use, disposable tissues when needed
Most People Do Not Require Treatment
Some high-risk patients such as young children, pregnant women, or hospitalized patients may be treated with medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza.