TIFFIN—Effective immediately, hospitals in northwest Ohio have begun limiting visitors to protect patients from influenza, specifically the H1N1 influenza.

People with flu-like symptoms are being asked to refrain from visiting patients at Mercy Tiffin Hospital. The hospital asks people who are feeling ill to stay at home and consider calling to support friends, family and others during their hospital stay.

Symptoms of the H1N1 influenza include fever, soar throat, chills, headache, cough and body aches.

Mercy Tiffin is asking employees to use their best judgment if they feel a visitor needs to leave based on their symptoms.

As the flu season progresses, adjustments may be made to the restrictions based on the severity of the flu.

Mercy Tiffin will base decisions to restrict visitors to the hospital on increases in emergency room and physician office patients with flu-like symptoms and the rate of student and staff absences in the local school systems.