What's Happening in McHenry, IL…

Northwest Medicine hospitals located in Woodstock, McHenry, and Huntley are starting a new program to deal with the rising rates of patients being hospitalized because of influenza.

Medical officials from the hospitals mentioned that new plans for dealing influenza cases are created every year and they are only implemented when the need arises. The decision to implement these special management plans are used when the number of influenza cases that the hospitals deal with rises in regional hospitals. The last time that McHenry County hospitals implemented such procedures was in March last year.

Dr. Ifran Hafiz who is the chief medical examiner for Northwestern Medicine in Huntley, Woodstock, and Huntley, explained that when there is a rise in cases in the community, the hospitals aim to be proactive.

When the influenza management policies are in place, visiting hours will stay the same but each patient is only allowed two visitors at a time. Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed in the hospital unless they have children admitted at the hospital. Visitors who feel sick or feverish are asked to refrain from visiting the hospital. Flyer printing can be used to inform people about similar changes in protocol.

Common symptoms of influenza to look out for include sore throats, persistent coughs, fevers, unexplained body aches, and runny noses. People can stop by any of the Northwest Medicine hospitals for influenza vaccinations.