Froedtert limiting visitors to birth centers due to the flu

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin have announced they're limiting visitors as more people have become sick with the flu. 

Starting Thursday, February 8, children under the age of 12 will be restricted from visiting the birth centers at Froedtert, St. Joseph's, and Community Memorial hospitals. Hospital inpatient units and clinic appointments are not included in the restriction. 

Additionally, any visitor with fever or influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) should NOT visit any patient in the hospital.

The temporary change is being made to limit the spread of the flu. Froedtert says the restriction will be lifted as soon as possible and will be assessed regularly as new information about the flu season becomes available.

The hospital says to avoid the flu, wash your hands often, avoid touching your face and stay out of crowds. They also say if you haven’t already, get a flu shot as it's the best way to protect yourself and others. Even if you develop the flu, your symptoms are likely to be milder if you’ve had a flu shot.