INDIANAPOLIS -- Due to a 'significant' rise in flu activity, temporary visitor restrictions will go into effect at hospitals in Marion County on Friday, March 11.

The Marion County Public Health Department says hospitals reported 293 emergency room visits due to a flu-like illness the week of February 21 - 27. That's a 74 percent increase over the week before.

Visitors with flu symptoms, or who are under the age of 18, will not be allowed visit patients in the hospital. Visitors will also be restricted to a patient's immediate family.

You should check with a hospital before visiting to see what type of restrictions they have in place.

Marion County hospitals that will be restricting visitors, starting Friday, due to the flu are:

Community Health Network

Franciscan St. Francis Health

IU Health

Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

St. Vincent Health

Eskenazi Hospital

VA Medical Center

Riverview Hospital in Noblesville already has temporary restrictions in place for overnight visitors due to the flu.

The hospital will not allow any visitors except immediate family, partners or significant others. Nobody under the age of 16 is allowed to visit.

The hospital will also ban visitors if they have flu-like symptoms.

Flu symptoms usually start about one to four days after being exposed and can last two to seven days. Symptoms are usually worse than those you would experience with a cold:

Fever

Chills

Headache

Cough

Sore throat

Muscle aches

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The Marion County Public Health Department offers the flu shots for $20 for adults and children ages 2 - 18. They're free for kids under the age of 2.

For office locations and hours, call the MCPHD flu hotline at 317-221-2121.

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